Revolutionizing Wastewater Treatment: Expert Insights on Pennsylvania’s Top Alternate Septic Technologies

Wastewater treatment rarely gets the spotlight, but it plays a critical role in protecting public health, preserving groundwater, and allowing responsible development; especially in states like Pennsylvania, where soil conditions and site limitations can make traditional septic systems impractical.

To better understand how modern solutions are changing the landscape, we spoke with an industry expert who oversees the operation, maintenance, and implementation of advanced septic technologies across Pennsylvania and Maryland. Here’s a closer look at how alternate septic systems work, why they matter, and what homeowners should know about maintaining them for the long haul.

Understanding Alternate Septic Technologies

In Pennsylvania, we have two types of wastewater systems: conventional and alternate technologies.

Conventional systems typically include a septic tank and a subsurface treatment area, commonly called a drain field. They work well when soil conditions, lot size, and groundwater depth are favorable.

When those conditions aren’t met, alternative septic technologies step in.

Alternative systems are intended for much higher level of waste treatment before it goes back into the environment. They are often used on smaller lots, in areas with poor soils, bedrock close to the ground surface, high water tables or environmentally sensitive locales. The aim is simple yet crucial: to make sure that wastewater is cleaned up well enough before it becomes a threat to wells, aquifers, streams or nearby waterways.

Pennsylvania uses the term “alternate technologies,” while Maryland and other states refer to these systems as Best Available Technology (BAT). The principle is the same: cleaner effluent, stronger environmental protection, and greater flexibility for challenging sites.

A Toolbox Approach to Septic Design

There is no one-size-fits-all septic solution. Soil composition, lot size, wastewater flow, usage patterns, and whether a property is seasonal or year-round all factor into system design.

Experienced practitioners understand that septic solutions are a toolbox, not a one-size system. Some technologies perform exceptionally well in homes with consistent daily use, but those same systems may struggle in lake houses, cottages, churches, schools, or businesses where wastewater flows are intermittent and unpredictable.

Recognizing these differences and matching the system to the site is fundamental to long-term performance, and it has a direct impact on owners’ costs.

Advantex Treatment Systems

Advantex Treatment Systems by Orenco feature a packed bed filter, which helps them to work well with erratic wastewater flows and varying wastewater strengths.

This flexibility makes Advantex a great choice for:

• Seasonal homes
• Vacation properties
• Commercial facilities with fluctuating usage
• High strength wastewater sites such as restaurants or schools

While some aeration systems need to be fed every day to keep the biology alive, packed bed filters are much more forgiving and bounce back from neglect when you start using again. This dependability is one of the reasons why these systems are so popular in residential and commercial installations.

Perc-Rite Distribution Systems

Drip dispersal distribution systems, such as those made by Perc-Rite, differ from traditional drainfields by applying small amounts of wastewater over a large area at carefully controlled rates.

This approach:

• Improves absorption efficiency
• Reduces soil saturation
• Enables more flexible system design
• Proves great for sloped or constrained sites

Drip systems allow the effluent to filter and disperse across a broad, yet sufficiently distributed path over time, thus promoting healthy soil conditions and providing long-term life for the absorption area.

Ecoflo Biofilters and Eljen Geotextile Sand Filters

Ecoflo Biofilters

Ecoflo utilizes a processing coconut fiber packed media to filter and treat graywater prior to entering the disposal area. They’re valued for:

• Compact footprint
• Competitive upfront cost
• Ability to reduce mound height
• Replaceable filter media

Although the media in Ecoflo systems must be replaced after a number of years, the maintenance is straightforward when it’s planned for. For many sites, the trade-off between upfront cost, long-term maintenance, and aesthetic enhancement is well worth it.

Eljen Geotextile Sand Filters

Eljen systems are commonly used in Pennsylvania, primarily for residential applications. Rather than simply discharging wastewater directly into the absorption area, as is typical with conventional aggregate systems, Eljen systems create unsaturated flow conditions. This allows additional treatment to occur in the soil between the trench bottom and the seasonal high groundwater table.

Key advantages include:

• Very low maintenance requirements
• Significant design flexibility
• Reduced absorption area requirements
  
• Improved aesthetics compared to conventional sand mounds

Eljen systems are popular with homeowners as an alternative to a traditional stone and pipe drainfield leach field, because, they have higher treatment levels, which is necessary in smaller or more sensitive environments.

Norweco Singulair Hydro-Kinetic Systems

The Singulair systems by Norweco use aeration and attached-growth processes, so they are most suitable for full-time homes with daily usage.

Some notable advantages include:

• Strong treatment performance
• Competitive pricing
• No media replacement required
• Regionally manufactured concrete tanks to help stimulate local supply.

Aeration systems require consistent wastewater flows to operate effectively. They’re a good, tried-and-true option for year-round or any-weather use, that is consistently popular across Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Why Maintenance Matters More Than Ever

Advanced septic systems are not “set it and forget it” devices. Ongoing maintenance support is essential to keep the system operating properly, extend its lifespan, and deliver long-term cost savings.

Annual maintenance typically includes:

• System inspection
• Component cleaning
• Performance testing
• Reporting to regulatory agencies

For some systems, there may be additional monitoring or sampling under other permit terms.

“There is one clear trend,” Brent says, “and that is proactive monitoring of pumps, aerators, and control panels.” This approach helps identify issues before homeowners notice any symptoms, preventing costly emergency repairs.

The philosophy is simple: proactive maintenance consistently outperforms reactive replacement.

Environmental Protection and Community Benefits

Alternate septic technologies are important for preserving:

• Groundwater
• Private wells
• Local streams and lakes
• Downstream ecosystems

By stripping out pollutants such as total suspended solids (TSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrogen and harmful bacteria, these systems protect the environment from wastewater that might otherwise impact drinking water sources or sensitive habitats.

They also make it possible to develop sites that would otherwise be deemed unbuildable, eliminating the need for costly and undesirable holding tanks.

The Role of PA DEP and Future Trends

PA DEP’s Statewide Alternate Technology Listing process generates performance standards and users across the state. This safeguard is why only validated methodologies receive approval.

The industry is clearly heading toward:

• Greater emphasis on routine maintenance
• Increased use of remote monitoring
• Smarter, site-specific system design
• Long-term cost planning for homeowners

With greater awareness, more property owners are realizing that septic systems need regular care to work dependably, just like your HVAC system or your car.

A Final Message for Homeowners

Septic systems may be out of sight, but they are among the most significant investments on a property.

The key takeaway is simple: Select the proper system for your site, and maintain it.

Spending a small amount each year on routine maintenance can save thousands by preventing system failures, protecting the environment, and significantly extending the life of your septic system. Over the long term, this proactive approach benefits homeowners, communities, and the environment alike.

FAQs

1.What are other types of septic systems and when are they required?

Alternate septic technologies are a specialized type of on-lot sewage disposal (OLSD) system that is used when an underground soil absorption area or standard sand mound system is not feasible. They’re often used on small lots, in locations with bad soil, high groundwater or shallow bedrock, and in environmentally sensitive areas. These systems treat sewage to a higher level before discharge, in a way that helps shield wells, groundwater and the surrounding waterways.

2.What are the differences between alternative septic systems and regular septic services?

Traditional systems depend largely on soil for treatment once the water leaves the septic tank. In other systems, additional steps (e.g., aeration, packed bed filters and bio-filters) are added prior to discharge into the absorption area. This provides less contaminated effluent, better performance on problem sites and greater environmental protection.

3.Do enhanced septic systems require more maintenance?

Yes, but it’s predictable and manageable maintenance. Most enhanced systems require yearly maintenance (inspection, cleaning and reporting) to satisfy state and manufacturer requirements. Preventive maintenance, to avoid complete system failure, adds years of life to your equipment and saves you thousands over emergency calls and even complete replacement of system.

4.What is the best alternative septic system for my property?

There’s no one “best” system for every site. The appropriate system for a given property will vary according to variables like soil conditions, lot size, volume of wastewater flow and usage patterns (as well as whether that off-grid real estate is seasonal or occupied year-round). A qualified designer or engineer evaluates site-specific conditions and long-term needs, then recommends a system tailored to your requirements.

5.Why is a homeowner investing in proactive septic maintenance?

Preventative maintenance can catch small issues before they become expensive problems. Frequent checks and system surveillance can help avoid pump burnout, overload of hydraulics and back-ups. Homeowners can literally add years to the life of their septic system and avoid large, unexpected expenditures by investing a small amount each year.