Why choose an AdvanTex® treatment system over other treatment packages?
You are now faced with a difficult decision. There are a number of things to consider when choosing a residential treatment package system. Some of these should include:
Odor Issues
Systems that use a fan or blower to constantly "add oxygen" to the treatment process generate a huge amount of odorous gas. This smelly gas can easily make its way to the exterior of your home ruining any chance of enjoying a quiet evening on the deck. The AdvanTex® system, on the other hand, uses passive ventilation moving only small amounts of air through the system to maintain the treatment process. The small amount of expelled air is released out the roof vents of your home dramatically reducing the chance or odor issues.
Blower Noise
Since blowers are used to add air to most systems, and because these blowers run 24/7/365, blower noise can be a real issue. Most often, the blowers are installed either at the treatment system site, or near the wall of the home. These blower units are not only noisy, but can be a very unsightly addition to your yard. As mentioned above, the AdvanTex® system does not use a blower, but a small submersible pump to move the influent to the treatment media. This small pump is quiet and runs only evening on the deck. The AdvanTex system, on the other hand, uses passive ventilation moving only small amounts of air through the system to maintain the treatment process. The small amount of expelled air is released out the roof vents of your home dramatically reducing the chance or odor issues.
Blower Replacement Cost
Because blowers run continuously, they don't often last more than 3-5 years. The cost to replace the blower unit can be between $400.00 and $800.00 not including labor. The pumps used in the AdvanTex® systems only run a few minutes every day. The pump motors are rated for a maximum of 300 daily starts with a normal AdvanTex® system pump start frequency being around 100 starts per day - well below the maximum rating. Each AdvanTex® pump costs around $650.00 not including labor, but operates an average of 15 years before replacement is needed. At the time of this writing and since 2004, nearly 170 AdvanTex® systems have been installed in Idaho, and we have yet to replace a failed pump unit (knock on wood).
Power Consumption
Running only minutes per day, one can imagine that AdvanTex® would consume less power when compared to blower systems. Based on a power rate of 8 cents per KW Hour, the yearly savings is around $100.00 per year. The low power consumption also makes AdvanTex® a good candidate for solar or low energy solutions.
Consistent Treatment Performance
Because the AdvanTex® system recirculates the treated effluent back to the system's blend tank on a timed basis, treatment performance remains high even under periodic use. During times of low flow, the effluent continues to treat to high levels. During use, the untreated effluent enters the blend tank and is mixed and diluted with the existing liquid whereby maintain consistant results upon discharge to the environment. Furthermore, every drop of effluent is dose over the treatment media before it is discharged to the disposal system.
The above information can help guide you through the decision making process, but if you have any additional questions, please call us at 208.664.2133 or email at allen.worst@rcworst.com.
Care of your AdvanTex® treatment system?
Now that you own an AdvanTex® treatment system, there are few things to consider when sending stuff down your drains. Your AdvanTex® treatment package system biologically processes your waste material and the resulting clear, clean, (but not pure) water is discharged into the environment through your drainfield system. For the most part, these systems operate trouble free for many years given proper maintenance, but there are a few things you should watch for to insure your system remains in top shape.
Important Information Regarding the Use of Your AdvanTex® Treatment System
Your AdvanTex
® treatment package system biologically processes your waste material and the resulting clear, clean, (but not pure) water is discharged into the environment through your drainfield system. For the most part, these system operate trouble free for years, but there are a few things you should watch for to insure your system remains in top shape.
- Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG): Try to keep all cooking fats, grease of any type and, bathing oils out of your septic system. Your AdvanTex® unit can handle a small amount of FOG but large amounts can cause issues in the treatment media where the microorganisms live and work. FOG can blind and plug off air and liquid passages in the media whereby seperating the food and oxygen from the bugs that need them. Only necessary if your AdvanTex® system experences a FOG overload, the best way to remove FOG from your treatment media is to remove each sheet and spray them off one by one. Although a fairly simple fix, it can be a time consuming and dirty job.
- Garbage Disposal Waste: A small amount of garbage disposal waste is no problem for your AdvanTex® system, but try to scrape plates into the garbage and dispose of excessive cooking waste the same way.
- Leaky Fixtures: The most common issue to trigger a system alarm is leaky fixtures. Did you know that a leaky toilet can discharge over 700 gallons into your septic system during a 24 hour period? Excessive water can cause issues in the septic tank where solid material must have time to settle or rise creating a "clear zone." AdvanTex® system where time dosing occurs and treatment quality is based on a system "rated" peak flow, and finally excessive flow puts your drainfield in jepordy by overrunning the soil's ability to absorb and move away the incoming water. Check your fixtures often and fix any that leak reguarly.
- Toxic Additives: Toxins come in all shapes and sizes, but the most common include excessive bleach and cleaners, drain cleaners, septic tank additives, perscription and over-the-counter drugs, paints, floor wax and wax stripper, and the list goes on. Try to keep anything other than your waste and toilet paper out of your septic system.
- "Flushable" Wipes and Paper Towels: "But they say, "septic tank safe - flushable" right on the package. I have heard this a thousand times. Flushable wipes and other types of paper products can quickly contribute to extensive septic issues. These products often accumulate in your septic tank and accelerate the time between expensive pumping intervals. If the tank is not pumped in time, these products can carry over to your treatment and drainfield systems.
AdvanTex® Links:
Orenco's AdvanTex Residential Systems Overview Video - A great introduction to the basics of septic systems and Orenco AdvanTex.Homeowner's Manual for the AdvanTe
®x Treatment System - A basic do and don't guide for owning an on-site treatment package system. This information also applies to anyone living in a area with septic and drainfield systems.
Contact the AdvanTex® Service Provider in your area:
Health District 1 - R.C. Worst & Co., Inc.: Allen Worst (208)770-2535Health District 2 - Call for service providerHealth District 3 - Blackwater, LLC: Mike Black (208)283-0237Health District 4 - Blackwater, LLC: Mike Black (208)283-0237Health District 5 - 7C Consulting: Corey Rice (208)833-7423Health District 6 - Richard Jex (435)753-2051Health District 7 - DBR, Inc.: Dwight Reppa (307)690-2613Please call 208.770.2535 for system startup information in your area.