The Hidden World in Your Backyard: Septic Systems
When you flush the toilet or drain the sink, the water disappears. For most homeowners, that is where the thought process ends. But if you live in Lackawaxen, PA, or the surrounding rural areas, that water doesn’t just vanish into a city sewer. It goes into your backyard.
Your septic system is a living, breathing biological machine. It relies on bacteria to break down waste. However, not all systems work the same way.
The two main contenders in the septic world are Anaerobic and Aerobic systems. Choosing the right one depends on your soil, your budget, and your local regulations. Making the wrong choice can lead to messy backups, expensive repairs, and environmental hazards.
At Triple J Services, we handle everything from excavation to final installation. We want you to understand how your system works so you can make the best decision for your property.
Biology 101: Oxygen is the Key
The core difference between these two systems is oxygen.
Bacteria are the workhorses of any septic tank. They eat the solids in your wastewater. Some bacteria need oxygen to survive (Aerobic), and some die if exposed to oxygen (Anaerobic).
Anaerobic bacteria are slow eaters. They live in environments with no air. They are less efficient, but they require very little maintenance to keep alive.
Aerobic bacteria are fast eaters. They thrive in oxygen-rich environments. They break down waste much faster and cleaner than their anaerobic cousins, but they need equipment to keep the air flowing.
The Anaerobic System: The Traditional Choice
This is the system most people think of when they hear “septic tank.” It has been the standard for decades. It relies on gravity and time.
How It Works
Wastewater flows from your house into a watertight tank. Inside this tank, three layers form. Solids settle to the bottom as sludge. Grease and oil float to the top as scum. The liquid wastewater (effluent) sits in the middle.
Because the tank is sealed, there is no oxygen inside. Anaerobic bacteria get to work on the sludge at the bottom. They slowly decompose the organic matter.
Eventually, the liquid middle layer flows out of the tank and into your leach field. The soil in the leach field acts as the final filter, treating the water before it hits the groundwater.
The Pros of Anaerobic Systems
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Lower Cost: These systems are generally cheaper to install because they are simple. They usually don’t require electrical components.
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Low Maintenance: You don’t have to worry about motors breaking or power outages stopping the treatment process.
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Simplicity: With fewer moving parts, there are fewer things that can go wrong mechanically.
The Cons of Anaerobic Systems
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Lower Efficiency: The treatment isn’t as thorough. The water leaving the tank still has a high biological load, which puts more stress on your leach field.
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Large Footprint: You need a large area of good soil for the leach field. If you have a small lot, this might not work.
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Soil Requirements: In rocky Pennsylvania soil, you might not have enough depth for a standard field. This often leads to the need for a Leach Field (“Turkey Mound”), where we build up the soil above ground.
The Aerobic System: The Mini Treatment Plant
Think of an aerobic system as a small-scale municipal water treatment plant right in your yard. These are becoming more common, especially in areas with poor soil or near lakes and streams.
How It Works
This system is more complex. It usually involves three separate tanks or compartments.
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Trash Tank: Similar to a traditional tank, solids settle here.
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Treatment Tank: This is where the magic happens. An air pump (aerator) forces oxygen into the water. This wakes up the aerobic bacteria. They consume the waste aggressively.
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Pump Tank: The treated water moves to a final chamber. From here, it is often treated with chlorine or UV light to kill remaining pathogens before being sprayed or pumped out.
The Pros of Aerobic Systems
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High Efficiency: The water leaving this system is much cleaner. It is safer for the environment.
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Versatility: You can install these in places where traditional systems fail. If you have high water tables (common near the Delaware River) or bedrock near the surface, this is often the only legal option.
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Smaller Leach Field: Because the water is cleaner, the ground doesn’t have to work as hard. This means you need less space for the drain field.
The Cons of Aerobic Systems
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Higher Cost: You are paying for pumps, aerators, and complex tanks. The installation price is higher.
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Electricity: You need power to run the aerator. If the power goes out, the bacteria can die.
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Maintenance: These systems act up if neglected. You need regular inspections to ensure the aerator is working.
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External Resource: The EPA provides a detailed breakdown of Septic System Types including aerobic treatment units.
Which System is Right for Lackawaxen?
Geography dictates plumbing. In our area of Pennsylvania, we deal with challenging terrain. We have rocky soil, hills, and plenty of water bodies.
The Soil Factor
If you have deep, sandy soil that drains well, an anaerobic system is likely your best bet. It is cost-effective and reliable.
However, many properties here sit on shallow bedrock or clay. Clay holds water, meaning a traditional drain field will flood. Bedrock prevents the water from being filtered before it hits the groundwater. In these cases, an aerobic system is often required by local code enforcement.
The Water Table
If you are building a vacation home near a lake, the water table might be just a few feet below the surface. A standard system would push wastewater directly into the groundwater. An aerobic system cleans the water before it leaves the tank, protecting the lake and your drinking water.
The Turkey Mound Solution
We often combine these technologies. You might hear the term “Turkey Mound” or sand mound. This is essentially an elevated leach field.
If the native soil is too rocky or wet, Triple J Services will bring in specific sand and topsoil to create a mound. We install the pipes inside this mound. We often use an Effluent Pump to lift the water from the tank up to the mound. This ensures the water is treated properly before it reaches the natural soil.
Maintenance: The Lifeblood of Your System
Regardless of which system you choose, neglect is the enemy. Both aerobic and anaerobic systems require care.
Pumping is Mandatory
Solids build up in every tank. Bacteria can eat sludge, but they can’t eat everything. Eventually, the tank gets full. If you don’t pump it, the solids will overflow into your leach field. This clogs the soil pipes.
Once a leach field is clogged, it is expensive to fix. You usually have to dig it up and replace it. Regular Septic System Inspections will tell you when it is time to pump.
Watch What You Flush
Your bacteria are sensitive. If you pour bleach, paint thinner, or harsh chemicals down the drain, you kill the bacteria. Without the bugs, the waste doesn’t break down.
Also, avoid flushing “flushable” wipes. They do not break down. They clog Grinder Pumps and pipes, leading to backups in your basement.
The Role of Hydro-Jetting
Over time, lines can get clogged with grease or roots. High-Pressure Drain Jetting, or hydro-jetting, acts like a pressure washer for the inside of your pipes. It blasts away buildup that standard snaking can’t reach. It is a great preventative measure to keep flow moving freely to the tank.
Signs Your System is Failing
You don’t want to wait until sewage is floating in your yard to call us. Watch for these early warning signs:
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Slow Drains: If all your sinks and toilets are draining slowly, the tank might be full, or the main line is clogged.
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Green Grass: If the grass over your leach field is bright green and lush while the rest of the yard is brown, your system is leaking effluent near the surface.
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Bad Smells: You should never smell sewage. If you catch a whiff near the tank or the drain field, you have a leak.
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Puddles: Standing water over the tank or field is a critical failure. Call for Emergency Septic Pumpingimmediately.
Why Choose Triple J Services?
Septic work is heavy work. It requires precision Excavation & Utility Trenching. You cannot just dig a hole and drop a tank in. You have to measure the pitch of the pipe perfectly. You have to understand the soil composition.
At Triple J Services, we know the land in Lackawaxen. We know the local codes. We don’t just install systems; we engineer solutions that last for decades.
Whether you need a simple grinder pump repair or a full installation of a complex aerobic system with a sand mound, we have the heavy equipment and the expertise to get it done right.
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External Resource: Penn State Extension offers excellent guides on Managing Septic Systems in Pennsylvania specifically for our soil types.
Drainage Matters Beyond the Tank
Sometimes, septic failure isn’t the tank’s fault. It is the rainwater’s fault.
If your property has poor drainage, rainwater can saturate your leach field. A saturated field cannot absorb wastewater. The water has nowhere to go but back into your house.
We install French Drains & Drainage Solutions to divert rainwater away from your septic system. By keeping the surface water away, we protect the integrity of your wastewater treatment.
Make the Right Investment
Your septic system is one of the most expensive components of your home. It is also the most important. You can live without a dishwasher, but you cannot live without a working toilet.
Choosing between aerobic and anaerobic isn’t just about price. It is about longevity and compliance.
Don’t guess. Let the professionals evaluate your land. We will test the soil, check the slope, and recommend the system that fits your lifestyle and your landscape.
Ready to start your project? Do you need an inspection on an existing system?
Contact Triple J Services today. Let’s keep things flowing in the right direction.
