Operations and Maintenance for Septic Systems Requiring an Operator

Low-Pressure Pipe (LPP)

LPP systems are found at many residences and small businesses up and down the OBX. These systems increase the volume of waste water that a septic system can handle without significantly increasing the area of the drain field.  
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Basics system requirements:
  • Operations Agreement with a Subsurface Operator
  • Inspections and maintenance twice per year
  • 2 semi-annual subsurface reports submitted to the local health department

Peat Systems

Peat moss based systems include the Puraflo and Ecoflo Systems. They consist of plastic or fiberglass pods, packed with peat moss that are periodically dosed with waste water. The peat moss provides a large amount of surface area upon which naturally occurring aerobic microbes thrive and consume pollutants in the waste water. 

​Basic system requirements:
  • Operations agreement with a Subsurface Operator
  • Inspections and Maintenance twice per year
  • System sampling as required by permit one to two times per summer
  • 2 semi-annual reports submitted to the local health department annually

Aerobic Treatment Units

Aerobic Treatment Units such as Bioclere, Advantex, EZ Treat, etc are basically miniature onsite waste water plants. These treatment units are often used in conjunction with a low-pressure pipe drain field and incorporate fans, pumps, and a media on which bacteria grows and feeds on nutrients in the waste water. These systems are often engineered for a specific site and can vary in their permit requirements.

Basic system requirements:
  • Operations agreement with a subsurface operator with Grade 2 Biological waste water certification
  • Inspections and Maintenance 2 to 12 times per years
  • System sampling twice during summer months
  • 2 semi-annual subsurface reports to the local health department