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Shallowly Placed, Low Pressure Distribution System to Treat Domestic Wastewater in Soils with Fluctuating High Water Tables

Law Environmental, Inc., Kennesaw, GA 30144 (formerly Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University).

R. B. Reneau, Jr.^*

Dep. of Agronomy, Virginia Polytech. Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg, VA 24061.

^* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

Soils with seasonal fluctuating high water tables are common in the Atlantic Coastal Plain and are considered to be unsuited for conventional on-site wastewater disposal systems (OSWDS). This study was conducted to monitor the performance of a shallowly placed, low pressure OSWDS in a Typic Ochraquult. Low pressure distribution and shallow placement were used to achieve uniform distribution and maintain an unsaturated zone in the more biologically active upper soil horizons. This combination was used to reduce movement of bacteria and P while utilizing water table fluctuations to enhance denitriflcation. Changes in water table levels, effluent distribution, and movement of fecal coliforms and selected chemical contaminants in groundwaters were monitored in situ from December 1980 through May 1982. An unsaturated zone was present beneath the OSWDS during the entire study except for the period from January through May of 1982. During this period the water table intersected the OSWDS, for some time interval (<24 h), on 36 d primarily following large rainfall events. Movement of fecal coliforms and P were restricted both horizontally and vertically. Nitrate concentrations were highest beneath the OSWDS during periods of rising water tables following prolonged periods of time when the water table was deeper than 1.5 m. Following the accumulation of NO^–₃-N in the upper portion of the water table, NO^–₃-N concentrations decreased rapidly. The observed decrease in NO^–₃-N was attributed to denitriflcation and was supported by NO^–₃-N/Cl^– ratios. Based on NO^–₃-N/Cl^– ratios, approximately 90% of the NO^–₃-N could not be accounted for with increased distance from the OSWDS.

Contribution of the Dep. of Agronomy, Virginia Polytech. Inst. & State Univ., Blacksburg, VA.

Received for publication July 13, 1987.

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