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Using Gravity, Siphon, or Float-Controlled Effluent Dosing as a Component of Alternative Septic Systems for Difficult Sites SepticAPedia © Enter your search terms Submit search form   Search This Website - InspectAPedia.com Designs for various types of septic effluent dosing systems Septic system designs using gravity dosing, effluent tipping buckets, drip systems Septic system designs using bell siphons Septic system designs using float controlled effluent dosing mechanisms Alternatives to pressure dosing septic systems, no electrical power Page top image shows a sketch of a basic septic system design using gravity dosing, with effluent flowing from a septic tank to a dosing chamber and from there to a drainfield. Image: Indiana state health department. 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. This document discusses types of effluent gravity dosing septic systems, including gravity dosing, using septic effluent tipping buckets, tipping pans, or dipping systems, bell siphons, or float-controlled (floating outlet) effluent dosing systems for septic system effluent final treatment and disposal. 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." © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website.

How and When Septic Effluent is Moved Through a Septic System

Septic effluent is distributed to a system final treatment and disposal using either gravity methods (which depend on terrain slope) or pressure methods (which use a pump to move effluent to its destination treatment and disposal area).

Methods For Septic Effluent Distribution Using Gravity Systems

• Single Effluent Line: A 4" perforated PVC pipe receives effluent by gravity from the septic tank. The pipe is buried in a gravel trench and may be run in a straight line or a loop.
• Distibution Box/Network of Lines: A distribution box receives effluent by gravity from the septic tank and routes it to a network of perforated pipes. The network is made of mulitple independent trenches which maybe on a flat or sloped site.
• Serial relief line: multiple, serially connected trenches are built on a sloping site and used serially.
• Drop box: multiple independent trenches are built on a sloping site, connected from drop boxes.


• Gravity Dosing, Bell Siphon Dosing, Float Dosing (discussed in this document): 4" perforated pipe, with or without a distribution box, are installed all at a single elevation. A hinged "bucket" chamber receives effluent and periodically, as it fills, the bucket tips to spill effluent into the piping system (A "dipping" or "tipping" system). Bell siphon dosing systems (a bell and siphon method of moving effluent to the drainfield) or float-controlled (a floating valve opens or closes) septic effluent dosing system designs are also available and are discussed in this document. Gravity dosing systems distribute effluent periodically rather than continuously to the absorption field, letting the field rest between doses and extending its life and capacity. However because the effluent dose is "poured" suddenly into the drainfield, local spot or point overloading may still occur.

Methods For Septic Effluent Distribution Using Pressure Dosing Systems

• Pressure dosing systems, by using pumps and a network of distribution piping, move septic effluent uniformly from an effluent dosing chamber to the entire absorption system field. Effluent accumulates in a dosing chamber until it reaches the "dose" level. A float switch or other control activates an effluent pump to move the effluent dose to the absorption system. General Specifications for Pressure Dosing Systems and types of pressure dosing systems are described in more detail at PRESSURE DOSING SPECIFICATIONS including pressure mainfold dosing systems, rigid pipe network dosing systems, and dripline or irrigation dosing systems.

When Septic Effluent is Moved Through a Septic System

Wastewater effluent is distributed for final treatment over time either by uncontrolled, or controlled methods.

Uncontrolled septic effluent flow: A conventional gravity septic system and drainfield is "uncontrolled". When waste enters the septic tank, it forces the same volume of effluent out of the tank and into the leach field. Some experts call this a continuous or trickling septic system. Conventional septic tank and drainfields use this approach. The timing of effluent movement or "trickle" into the absorption field is based simply on when people are using the building plumbing and thus based simply on when wastewater flows out of the building into the septic tank.

Controlled septic effluent flow: in controlled systems effluent is sent to the final treatment and disposal system such as an absorption field under either mechanical control such as a tipping or siphon system or under pump control, such as by use of a septic effluent pressure manifold or a septic effluent drip network. In some large wastewater treatment systems with a significant if not uniformly continuous inflow, outflow of the system may be continuous in some designs. But many system use an intermittent effluent dosing method which operates by a pump controlled perhaps by a float in an effluent receiving chamber, or by a siphoning or tipping bucket mechanical system (gravity systems) which we discuss here.

Gravity Dosing System - General: The purpose of septic effluent "dosing" systems is to place septic effluent in the absorption system or drainfield at intervals rather than continuously. In effect, the effluent dosing chamber forms a "buffer" which receives and stores septic effluent flowing (or being pumped) out of the septic tank until a desired dosing quantity is reached. Then the effluent is dispersed to the absorption system in one "dose." By distributing effluent at intervals rather than on a more nearly continuous or irregular basis the absorption system can "rest" between cycles, extending its life and possibly increasing its ultimate effluent treatment and disposal capability. Not only does the rest interval permit the absorption system more time to dispose of its effluent, also the exposure of the system to air between doses can reduce the rate of clogging of the drainfield.

Bell Siphon Septic Effluent Dosing Systems

Bell siphon effluent dispersal systems are a septic effluent dosing method that has been in use since about 1900. Bell siphon dosing systems use a bell-shaped cover over a vertical dosing chamber outlet pipe, combined with a vent pipe that lets air out of the bell chamber to control effluent flow.

Effluent level in the dosing chamber rises in both the chamber and inside the bell (through the open bottom of the bell). As effluent rises, air inside the bell vents out through a small-diameter pipe.

When effluent in the dosing chamber reaches the level of the bell-vent pipe outlet (which is letting air out of the bell), liquid rising inside the bell slows (as no more air escapes the bell) and the remaining air trapped inside the bell begins to push out of the dosing chamber outlet pipe and trap.

When effluent reaches the maximum design level in the dosing chamber, air in the trap (at maximum pressure) is expelled through the dosing chamber trap and is followed by the dose of septic effluent, starting a siphon action.

The siphon action moves effluent from the dosing chamber to the absorption field, leach field or sand filter bed.

As effluent leaves the dosing chamber the effluent level in the chamber drops until it reaches the open bottom of the bell. At this point the siphon action is "broken" and siphoning of effluent out of the chamber stops.

Bell siphon effluent dispersal designs deliver a fixed effluent dose to the absorption system or drainfield at a frequency which will depend on the rate of usage of the septic system, or the rate of flow of wastewater into the system.

An example of a bell siphon effluent dosing system including a simple animation can be seen at Fluid Dynamic Siphons,. Contact Fluid Dynamic at 970-879-2494 or info@siphons.com - Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

See Float Control Dosing Systems just below for an updated approach to bell siphon septic system designs.

Dipping or Tipping Septic Effluent Dosing Systems

A septic tipping dosing system, also referred to as a bucket tipping or tipping pan, uses a bucket mounted on an axle or hinge inside of an effluent dosing chamber to first accumulate and then dispense septic effluent to the absorption system (referred to in some countries such as New Zealand and Australia as "filtration disposal trenches".

Effluent flows from the septic tank to the dosing chamber, filling the bucket. As the bucket is hinged near its center line, and because the front of the bucket is wedge shaped, as the bucket fills to a specified level or "dose" of effluent, the weight of the effluent causes the bucket to "tip" forward, spilling its contents into the dosing chamber.

An effluent drain connected at the bottom of the dosing chamber directs the tipped effluent to the drain field or soil absorption system.

The size of the bucket in gallons determines the dose of effluent that it will apply to the drainfield. The rate of fill of the dosing bucket depends of course on the in-flow rate of sewage to the septic tank.

Tipping bucket dosing mechanisms operate without requiring electricity and are an alternative to siphon dosing systems described above and float-controlled dosing systems described below.

Float Control or Floating Outlet Septic Effluent Dosing Systems

Typically a conventional leach field or a raised sand bed filter is used but manufactured wetlands can also be utilized.

Float-controlled dosing systems operate without requiring electricity (unless a pump is used to move effluent up to the dosing chamber). Gravity powers the flow of effluent from the chamber to the soil absorption system.

The Flout (TM) may be left mothballed in place at say a vacation home. No extra steps are required to re-activate the system. The Flout never requires priming or recharging of the air bubble like a bell siphon

To handle various dosing volumes or flow rates, floating outlets can be arranged in a single float controlled outlet or alternatively in multiple outlet systems. Designs that alternate between two or more outlets (pictured at the top of this section) permit alternate drain field use, providing for longer rests between dosing cycles. Ganged outlets (double, triple or more Floats operating at once) to provide for larger dosing quantities and flow rates out of the same effluent chamber. Ganged Flouts also provide the only true parallal effluent distribution, insuring the same amount of effluent flows out of each outlet every time.

Effluent dosing quantities per cycle range from about 30 gallons to 2000 gallons, depending on the size and dimensions of effluent dosing chamber. The Flout (TM) can have a Drawdown of 8" to 52" and should be sized to fit the chamber.

The manufacturer (see below) asserts that this design is easier to install than a bell siphon system. It tolerates out of level conditions better and never requires priming. Effluent pumping from the septic tank is only needed where the septic tank is lower than the dosing chamber, and simpler, less costly pumps are required than with other dosing systems. Certainly in comparison with pressure dosing systems (see links at page left) this will be the case.

An example of a floating outlet design for septic system effluent disposal can be seen in animation at Rissy Plastics FLOUT floating outlet for septic effluent dispersal. Contact Rissy at 518-834-7940 or Flout@engineer.com - Keeseville NY.

Septic Effluent Dosing System Products and Suppliers

Rissy Plastics FLOUT floating outlet for septic effluent dispersal. Contact Rissy at 518-834-7940 or Flout@engineer.com - Keeseville NY.

Please also see ALTERNATIVE SEPTIC PRODUCTS and also review the suppliers listed at ATU Suppliers

Technical Reviewers & References on Septic Dosing System Designs

Particular thanks are due to experts and also consumers who read these articles and suggest corrections, changes, and additions to the material. Content suggestions, technical corrections and content critique are invited for any of the content at our website.

• Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. (727) 595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
• Hankey and Brown home inspectors, Eden Prairie, MN, technical review by Roger Hankey, prior chairman, Standards Committee, American Society of Home Inspectors - ASHI. 952 829-0044 - hankeyandbrown.com
• Rissy Plastics - Matt Cauthorn, Flout@engineer.com for text describing the Flout(TM) floating outlet valve dosing system control (see above).
• Daniel Friedman - principal author
• Construction Guidelines for Gravity and Flood-Dose Trench Onsite (Septic) Systems, Indiana state health department
• Maintenance of Low Pressure Distribution Septic Systems, Vermont Cooperative Extension
• Dosing Gravity Drainfield Systems, Recommended Standards and Guidance for Performance, Application, Design, and Operation & Maintenance, Washington State Department of Health, July 1, 2007
• Technical reviewers are invited to comment or ask questions - contact us

More expert information on this topic

More Information on Septic System Diagnosis, Maintenance, & Repair

• The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
• Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
• The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
• Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
• Home & Outdoor Living Water Requirements
• Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
• How Big Should the Leach Field Be? - table of soil percolation rate vs. field size
• Septic System Drainfield Absorption System Biomat Formation - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
• Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.

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