If the alarm goes off once, press the “Push to Silence” button; the system may just be alerting you to a temporary high-level condition. If the alarm comes on again, call your local service provider. If you don’t have a local service provider, contact your local Orenco distributor for references.
If your alarm periodically chirps, there may be a problem with the electrical circuit to your panel. Contact your local service provider.
An effluent filter keeps solids in the septic tank so they won’t damage your treatment system, drainfield, or drip
system. A filter is relatively inexpensive, but replacing a plugged-up treatment system or drainfield can be very
expensive. Choose a filter that’s made of corrosion-resistant materials; then, make sure it has a large flow area
so that you minimize maintenance. Our patented Biotube Effluent Filter has 2-7 times the flow area of other
brands, so it can go longer between cleanings.
If the tank isn’t watertight, groundwater and surface water can make their way into (infiltrate) the tank, and
untreated sewage can make its way out of (exfiltrate) the tank. With infiltration, your pump(s) will run more
often than normal, which can lead to flooding – and destruction – of your drainfield. Infiltration also reduces
the amount of time that wastewater has to “settle” in the tank, which interferes with treatment. Exfiltration also
interferes with treatment. Even worse, with exfiltration, untreated sewage can flow into your groundwater.
Yes. Orenco sells its patented, injection-molded fiberglass tanks through a network of trained and authorized tank assemblers, who test every tank for watertightness after it is assembled. Find your nearest Orenco distributor to learn more.
That depends on the size of your household. Typically, you’ll need a 1000-gallon tank, at minimum, for a two-bedroom
house, and a 1500-gallon tank for a three- or four-bedroom house. Check with your local regulator to
verify what’s required in your area.
No. Water softener backwash does not need wastewater treatment, and the salts and chlorides in it can cause
problems with your system. Water softener backwash may be directly discharged to the ground in many
locations (though it might damage plant life). Check with your local regulator for the requirements in your area.
No. The typical household septic system uses a 1/2 hp high-head effluent pump, which uses about $1/mo in electricity, depending on local rates.
No. We have found that our high head effluent pumps last more than 20 years. And unlike pump stations for conventional gravity sewers, maintenance is rarely required.
You might have a leaky faucet or toilet, which can add several hundred gallons to the septic tank each day. And
if your tank isn’t watertight, there could also be infiltration of groundwater or surface water into the system. If
you eliminate these possibilities, then you can easily evaluate the performance of your pump. All you need is a
five-gallon pail. Call your local service provider for more information. If you don’t have a local service provider, contact your local Orenco distributor for references.
Yes, with all kinds of gravity systems.
No. Not if properly designed and installed. Any wastewater collection system will smell bad if not properly
designed and installed.
Your system will have a control panel with an alarm, and the alarm will alert you. Then you can call a local
septic system installer or local service provider. (Contact your local Orenco distributor if you need a referral for
one.) Your septic tank has a 24-hour “reserve” space, so you’ll have time to get your system checked out.