Orenco Effluent Sewers -- also known as STEP or STEG sewers -- begin with a watertight septic tank, providing primary treatment through natural, organic decomposition. Patented Biotube® Pump Vaults filter out solids, pumping filtered effluent through inexpensive, small-diameter collection lines. Buried shallowly, just below the frost line, collection lines follow the contour of the ground, simplifying excavation and reducing installation costs. No manholes or lift stations are required. And because the effluent is of high quality, it can be treated with a low-cost, low-maintenance system – such as recirculating textile filters or sand filters. Our VeriComm® (remote telemetry) Monitoring System makes maintenance even easier. Also because the system is completely watertight, there is no infiltration and inflow, so treatment systems can be downsized, saving even more money. From the treatment system, polished effluent can be re-used for irrigation or discharged to a shallow gravelless drainfield, lagoon, or wetland.