Aerobic Septic Systems: Calcium Hypochlorite for Disinfections In Onsite Aerobic Waste Treatment Septic Systems
SepticAPedia ©
- What disinfectants should be used in aerobic septic systems
- Where to buy aerobic septic system chemicals
- Use of pool chlorine tablets in aerobic septic systems
Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest.
We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices,
false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at
inspect-ny.com/appointment.htm.
Use of proper and approved septic effluent disinfectants (Calcium Hypochlorite) is required
for aerobic septic systems. This article, contributed by a company which produces
aerobic septic system disinfectants, describes the issue and identifies
the proper aerobic septic system disinfectant to be used.
Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted.
Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved
to the author. Technical review by industry experts has been performed and is ongoing - reviewers welcomed and are listed at "References."
Readers of this page should also see Disinfection of Septic Effluent, Swimming Pool Chemicals for Septic Effluent Discharged from Aerobic Septic Systems.
This document is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems.
© Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
Use Calcium Hypochlorite for Disinfections In Onsite Aerobic Waste Treatment Septic Systems
A common concern of owners of onsite aerobic waste treatment septic
systems is why they should not use pool chlorine tablets for their
systems instead of the proper chemical, calcium hypochlorite.
There are three primary reasons pool chlorine tablets should
not be used for this purpose - legal requirements, safety issues, and
environmental issues.
Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) it
is unlawful for anyone to use a registered pesticide (includes chlorine
tablets) in a manner that is inconsistent with its labeling. For septic
systems, enforcement of the law is primarily left with the states. In
Texas and some other states enforcement is passed
on to the counties.
For onsite aerobic septic systems, use only calcium hypochlorite tablets
that have been certified by the EPA for this use. In EPA regulated
areas, if the container is not labeled as such, it cannot be used for
this purpose. In Texas, the use of swimming pool chlorine in aerobic
septic systems carries a fine of about $500 for the first offence, and
the fine increases for subsequent violations.
Use of Swimming Pool Chlorine Tablets in Aerobic Septic Systems
Besides legal, there are safety issues that need to be considered.
Swimming pools tablets, such as Trichlor (trichloroisocyanuric acid or
trichloro-s-triazinetrione), are designed for immersion in water. In an
aerobic septic system feeder, the tablets are primarily above the water
line. Under this condition the tablets will release nitrogen chloride,
an explosive gas.
Under no circumstance should you allow Trichlor to come in contact with
calcium hypochlorite or bleach. These chemicals react violently with
each other. If you have been using Trichlor, completely remove the
tablets from the chlorine feeder. Next, using water, rinse the Trichlor
residue completely from the feeder section of the waste treatment
system. Only after doing so is it safe to fill the feeder with calcium
hypochlorite tablets that are approved for use in domestic wastewater
systems. Never operate your system without the proper chlorine tablets
such as the ClorMor brand of 2 5/8 inch chlorine tablets approved for
use in onsite aerobic waste treatment septic systems.
If you have been using swimming pool tablets for a period of time, you
have probably noticed a browning or dying of grass and other plants in
the area where the sprinkler system sprays it. The chlorine in pool
tablets is stabilized so it doesn't readily breakdown by sunlight as
does the chlorine in calcium hypochlorite that is approved for aerobic
waste treatment systems. Over an extended period of time, the
applications of stabilized chlorine will not only kill the vegetation,
but it can kill the beneficial bacterium that is natural to the soil.
Proper aerobic septic system maintenance
Proper maintenance and care of your septic system is essential to keep
the system working properly. If you need additional information, you
can contact the manufacturer of your aerobic septic system, your local
permitting authority, or you may contact the original author of this
article at
sales@aerobicchlorine.com.
Contribution via web 6/13/2006, edited by Daniel Friedman 8/23/06 © 2006 All Rights Reserved (C)DJF copyright trap
Original Author:
Maurice Davis,
Product Line Manager
Water Utility Chemicals, Inc.
Aerobic Chlorine Division
PO Box 1057
Caldwell, TX 77836
979-567-7960Maurice Davis maurice@wucinc.com
More expert information on this topic
| 
Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice 
Directory of Professionals to Inspect or Test a Building 
InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map
