Aerobic Systems
Aerobic treatment systems are on-site sewage treatment systems that use forced air to treat wastewater and surface application or drip irrigation to disperse the treated wastewater. They may also be used to replace subsurface systems that are failing due to high groundwater and/or poor soil. While aerobic systems may be designed without performing a soil test, it is recommended that a soil profile be performed at the site. Based on the results of the soil profile, you may be able to reduce the size of the dispersal field or install a subsurface system. To determine the type of soil at your location please contact your local DEQ office. All aerobic treatment units must be certified as meeting the most current ANSI/NSF Standard 40, meaning they have been tested to prove that the unit is going to operate as the manufacturer claims.
DEQ Aerobic Septic System Regulations
Per Oklahoma DEQ statutes, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain their Aerobic Septic System to the standards listed below. Visit DEQ’s website for further information.
Mandatory two year maintenance period. The installer of any aerobic treatment system shall maintain the aerobic treatment system for a period of two years following the date the system was installed at no additional cost to the owner. During the two-year mandatory maintenance period, the installer shall be responsible for the following:
Repairing, adjusting or replacing any broken or malfunctioning parts;
Testing and recording the free chlorine residual of the effluent in the pump tank at least once every six (6) months;
Measuring and recording the depth of the sludge in the trash tank at least once every six (6) months;
Measuring and recording the volume of the sludge in the aerobic treatment unit at least once every six (6) months;
Conducting a clarity test and recording the results as passing or failing once every six (6) months. A passing clarity test is one where an eight-inch disk with alternating black and white quadrants is visible when placed on the bottom of the pump tank when the tank is at least one-third (1/3) full;
Notifying the owner of the system in writing of:
The type and date of any repairs, adjustments or replacements performed on the system;
The results of the free chlorine residual test and, when applicable, the need to add chlorine and how to do it;
The depth of the accumulation of sludge in the trash tank and the need to have it pumped so that the depth of the sludge is never more than forty percent (40%) of the overall depth;
The volume of the sludge in the aerobic treatment unit and the need to have it pumped so that the volume of the sludge in the aerobic 10 treatment unit is never more than forty percent (40%); and
The results of the clarity test and, if it fails the test, what the installer did or the homeowner has to do to correct it; and
Documenting all maintenance and testing performed on the system and maintaining those records at his/her business for a period of three (3) years following the date of service.
Exclusions from maintenance. The installer shall not be responsible for repairing aerobic treatment systems when the owner/operator is the sole cause of the damage to the system or the system’s malfunction (e.g., sprinkler heads that properly retract into the ground but are nevertheless damaged by careless actions of the homeowner, excessive water usage, introduction of harmful items into septic system, etc.).
Owner responsible after two year period ends. After the expiration of the two-year mandatory maintenance period, the owner of the aerobic treatment system shall be solely responsible for maintaining or hiring someone to maintain the system so that it operates as designed.
After the expiration of the two-year mandatory maintenance period, Biggs Backhoe offers a Continuing Maintenance Program to keep your aerobic system operating to comply with all DEQ standards. Please contact our office if you have any questions or if you would like to get started on our Continuing Maintenance Program.