Wastewater treatment is an important task for private home owners. It can be solved with a septic tank or filter well. The latter option requires less cost for the arrangement and for many is more acceptable. Such a system allows water that has already been cleared of contaminants to pass into the soil.
Description
The filter well is a container with special elements for cleaning. The first step in wastewater treatment is a filter that collects large contaminants. Next, microorganisms that live in the sludge that has formed on the internal surfaces come into operation. Often, such systems are equipped in addition to a septic tank and provide complete wastewater treatment.
Despite the versatility of the filter, it can only be installed if groundwater lies at a depth of at least 2.5 meters. If this rule is not observed, contaminated liquid will enter the aquifer. The soil itself must contain a large amount of sand for quick passage of effluents.
Average daily water consumption determines the number and size of wells. The total volume should be several times higher than consumption. As additional measures of treatment, biological filters and special trenches are used, the latter are often designed to divert the treated effluents to nearby water bodies.
Varieties
The factory analogue of this design is a filter cartridge for a sewage well, the main purpose of which is to clean rainwater from oil products, fine suspended matter and heavy metals. It can have various sizes and is usually made to order. Such a device can be used in parking lots, in cottage villages and campsites. The design consists of a plastic container, a grill and a non-woven material covering the upper part and the main one consisting of an absorbent material. Treated effluents are environmentally friendly and suitable for discharge into water bodies.
Sanitary standards
The first stage of arrangement is a competent choice of place. Particular attention is paid to sanitary requirements, in accordance with which:
- The filtering well for a septic tank is located 2-4 meters from the neighboring territory.
- The construction of such a structure is prohibited near wells and other sources of drinking water. The minimum distance is 30 meters. With high water permeability of the soil, this parameter increases by 20 meters.
- The distance between the well and residential buildings should be at least 10 meters.
Filler
The dimensions of the structure depend on the intensity of the effluents and the type of soil, most often the diameter of the upper part is 2 meters. The depth of the filter is selected individually and ranges from 2-3 meters. Digging a filter well with a depth of more than 3.5 meters is undesirable, as this will make it difficult to clean and may speed up the need to create a new septic tank.
You can use any environmentally friendly filter media. The most popular were slag, chipped brick, peat, crushed stone. It is recommended to use a material with a fraction of not more than 3 cm. A combination of several types of fillers will be the best option. For example, fine slag is laid on the bottom, and chipped brick acts as the upper layer. In this case, the organic waste will remain on the upper layer and be processed by microorganisms living in the sludge. After that, the effluent will be further cleaned with slag and will be in the soil layer.
Highlights
The filtering well for sewage can have a different shape, for example, rectangular or round, which depends on the materials used. Wall arrangement is possible with car tires, reinforced concrete products, concrete or brick.
First you need to dig a pit. Its dimensions are selected in accordance with the proposed design and with a margin of 30-40 cm. The arrangement of the walls does not require special skills. When using bricks, it is recommended to lay with holes about 4-5 cm wide to prevent stagnation of water.
For the construction of a well from concrete rings, you can purchase finished products or find used rings with natural holes, significantly saving the budget.
The installation process can be simplified by installing a ring in place of the proposed filter and gradually removing soil from the inside. The ring under the influence of its own weight will gradually sink into the ground. It is also necessary to deal with the remaining products, stacking them on top of each other.
Before arranging the walls, it is necessary to determine in advance the point of release of the septic tank or the drain of the sewer. At the same time, the pipe outlet should be at least 20 cm from the level of bulk material. It is also recommended that a piece of wood of a suitable size be selected to be placed under the place of impact of the jet. This will improve the quality of treatment and ensure even distribution of wastewater.
Filter material is poured only after the completion of the walls. According to experts, the best solution would be to fill in fine-grained material along the bottom edge and fill the center with larger material. Backfill is necessary not only for the bottom, but also for the free space between the walls of the pit and the filter.
Completion
With the help of a shield made of reinforced concrete or wood, the upper part is covered. At the same time, there should be space for the ventilation hole and hatch. The last element is invaluable, since with it a preventive inspection is carried out and, if necessary, cleaning the bulk layer. The well with filter loading should have a hatch with dimensions of at least 70 cm to ensure free access. It is best to use a double design with insulation. The location of the vent can be any. In conclusion, the upper part is covered with ruberoid material pressed against the ground. In order to prevent freezing in the winter months, you need to make a thicker layer - at least half a meter. The unsightly appearance can be decorated with any elements of landscape design, a flower bed, for example.
Plastic analogues
Sufficient distribution of plastic filter wells. Their arrangement is more expensive than a septic tank from improvised materials, but they have many advantages. Among the main ones it is worth highlighting quick installation, reliability and easy maintenance. The volume of the tank can vary within wide limits, so it is selected in accordance with the approximate daily flow rate of water. The basis of the reservoir is a layer of filter material, the walls are made of durable plastic, not subject to corrosion and characterized by a long service life. Plastic containers are presented by manufacturers in an extensive assortment, which greatly simplifies the choice.
Tire use
The most budget option is a filter well from used car tires. Its bandwidth is enough for a family of three. Most often, such systems are equipped with houses used only for living in the summer months, since the material is susceptible to freezing, which reduces the activity of bacteria or completely stops at abnormally low temperatures.
The creation of such a design does not require special skills - just put the tires on top of each other and fix them with plastic clamps. Sealing joints is a special composition. The manufacture of the upper part of the structure and the filling of the material are carried out in the same way as when creating wells from other materials.
Care
Well with filter cartridge requires systematic maintenance, which consists in the timely removal of sludge and cleaning of large contaminants. Before cleaning, it is necessary to stop operating the sewage system for a while to reduce the level of effluent in the tank. Then you need to partially replace the bulk layer and thoroughly loosen it.
In case of severe siltation, special products are used, which are also recommended to be used to maintain cleanliness. They have different costs, depending on the volume and manufacturer. Before adding the drug, the filtering well is emptied using a cesspool machine, after which the product dissolved in hot water is poured.