Media Resources

"Effluent sewers down under”

In early 2009, a record-breaking heat wave struck the state of Victoria in southeast Australia, making already dry conditions even worse. In addition, strong winds and low humidity combined to create some of the highest-risk fire conditions ever experienced in the region. Fierce winds knocked down power lines, resulting in fires that quickly grew into the largest, most destructive firestorm in Australia’s modern history. The community of Kinglake West, home to about 1,000 residents, was dramatically impacted. Much of the town needed to be rebuilt, including its infrastructure." Read More >

"Reliable, onsite wastewater treatment in Australian outback”

"The Wirib Tourist Park was earmarked as an ongoing sustainability project and is part of the government indigenous food security program, servicing three local indigenous communities, which rely on fish from a nearby creek as a source of food. Unfortunately, the park’s existing AWTS [aerated wastewater treatment system] was undersized and couldn’t adequately treat the wastewater flows produced onsite, particularly during periods of high occupancy. When the AWTS overflowed, the creek received untreated wastewater." Read More >

"Liquid-only sewer briefing”

"Liquid-only sewers (also known as “effluent sewers”) have proven to be a cost-effective solution for municipalities, new subdivisions, and a variety of other areas in need of sewer. As opposed to the big pipes and deep excavations typically required by gravity sewers, liquid-only sewers use small-diameter, shallowly buried mainlines that follow the contour of the land and are easily installed with light-duty equipment, minimizing disturbance to the surrounding area." Read More >

"Nitrogen-Reduction Treatment Systems for Long-Term Operations”

"A proper analysis of nitrogen-reduction systems is critical to finding the most effective treatment process for specific locations. Tristian Bounds of Orenco Systems illustrates how a nitrogen-reduction treatment system was evaluated for a recreational vehicle (RV) resort project in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States (US)." Read More >

"Rural Water Utility Builds Customer Base with Wastewater”

"To expand system capacity and customers, South Alabama Utilities adopted a utility-managed, effluent-only sewer and decentralized wastewater treatment approach, which continues to generate more business in its rural service area after almost 20 years. Mike Saunders of Orenco Systems, Inc. and Lindsay Tucker, PE of Garver Engineering report." Read More >

"Myth Busting: The Value of an Interceptor Tank in Effluent Sewer Systems”

"An interceptor tank, as part of an effluent sewer, provides low- cost, low-energy primary treatment of wastewater."

"Treatment process savings due to lower-strength wastewater from an effluent sewer include reduced energy demand, reduced chemical use, less biosolids handling, and less biosolids disposal. These combined expenses can make up a substantial portion of the total wastewater treatment cost." Read More >

"Effluent Sewer and Treatment System Solve Wastewater Crisis”

"In 2007, the picturesque community of Piopio, New Zealand, was on the verge of a wastewater crisis."

"Residents may not have realized the urgent need for a sewer and sewage treatment system, but the governing Waitomo District Council had identified the town as qualifying for wastewater funding through the national Ministry of Health. After a thorough bidding process that considered various treatment options, the Council chose an Orenco Effluent Sewer and AdvanTex Treatment System, given its robust treatment and low operating and capital costs." Read More >

“2018 Top Water & Wastewater Projects: Riviera Utilities”

"Riviera Utilities’ primary goal with its project was to design a cost-effective and reliable treatment system to replace the intermittent sand filter being used to treat wastewater from the Diamondhead community near Hot Springs, Ark. ..."

"The utility had received an engineering proposal for a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) treatment facility at an estimated cost of more than $2 million ... The company instead contacted PMI, an engineering services firm. PMI recommended a two-stage treatment process: recirculating media filters (RMFs) followed by Orenco AdvanTex AX100 wastewater treatment systems. This would cost one-third as much as the SBR proposal and would reduce the long-term costs of operation and maintenance." Read More >

“Decentralized Wastewater Reuse Goes Mainstream”

"As the demand for water recycling continues to grow, and an increasing number of successful water reuse projects prove that recycling can be done safely at smaller scales, the future looks bright for decentralized recycling projects to become mainstream." Read More >

“Adjust the System”

"Effluent sewer systems can benefit small communities and isolated developments, including reducing up-front capital costs, lowering life-cycle costs, improving system performance at low flows, reducing maintenance, increasing reliability and decreasing operation requirements. These can save utilities thousands of dollars in up-front and life-cycle costs.

"With decentralized collection technologies available — such as effluent sewers — communities and utilities should consider implementing impact-fee adjustment for specific users based on organic, hydraulic and operational impacts. With this billing system, those using technologies that reduce the impact on the wastewater collection and treatment system pay lower fees." Read More >

“Sustainable Reuse at National Scout Reserve”

"The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) installed an energy-efficient, graywater reuse system for disposing of the graywater generated by the 336 shower buildings at its showcase camping and training facility, the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve ... An array of AdvanTex^® AX20-RTs – 224 in all – and two AdvanTex AX-Max™ units process the graywater and treat it for reuse in toilet flushing." Read More >

“Onsite STEP System Handles Seasonal Peaks at US National Park”

"The onsite effluent sewer system installed at Stinson Beach, part of the United States National Park Service system, keeps the facilities running smoothly during peak season when visitors rise to 5,000 per day." Read More >

“New Methods for System Monitoring”

"VeriComm enables users to view data related to the performance of the system, any alarm conditions, and excessive use. The system is an effective tool in the septic industry toolbox for monitoring system performance and preventing problems." Read More >

“Responsible Water Recycling: Decentralized Solutions for Water Reuse”

"Increasing demands on the planet’s limited fresh water supply are a source of immediate concern. In many places, demand exceeds supply. By implementing effective treatment technologies and reuse strategies, the effects of drought and population growth on water supplies can be alleviated. Decentralized water reuse solutions can play a pivotal role in water conservation and management. Properly treating waste-water – both blackwater and greywater – at or near the point of generation relieves pressure on potable water resources and provides many other environmental and economic benefits. Decentralized systems also minimize environmental footprints, increase opportunities for public education and awareness, and provide for a more sustainable future." Read More >

“A Decentralized Solution for a Small Village”

"Christiansburg, Ohio, was experiencing serious issues with failing onsite wastewater systems. Septage odors were common, especially after heavy rainfalls, and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) detected high levels of fecal coliform in nearby West Honey Creek in 2012. Village leaders stepped up their efforts to seek a cost-effective system for wastewater collection and treatment ..."

"After reviewing cost comparisons, [village] council members decided that an effluent sewer followed by packed-bed treatment was their most cost-effective option. It also offered the ease of operation that would enable the village to affordably manage its own facility." Read More >

“How to Compare Sewer Technologies Using Life-Cycle Cost Analysis”

"Pressure sewers can provide affordable service to municipalities, new subdivisions, and areas where gravity sewers are difficult and expensive to install. Effluent and grinder sewers are today’s dominant pressure sewer technologies. When evaluating these two options, lifecycle cost analysis is an effective tool for comparison, especially when actual costs can be used."

"In 2010, the Water Environment & Reuse Foundation (WERF) developed two reliable resources for evaluating sewer technologies: (1) a “Wastewater Planning Model,” allowing users to compare life-cycle costs and (2) a series of collection system “Fact Sheets” for different types of sewers, including design characteristics, performance, and cost estimates. When performing life-cycle cost analysis using WERF’s documented figures, it’s evident that pressure sewers can be an affordable option." Read More >

“2016 Top Water and Wastewater Projects: Vero Beach Sewer System Extension”

"Until recently, approximately 1,500 failing septic systems served large portions of Vero Beach. These systems were degrading the Indian River Lagoon adjacent to the city with excessive nutrient loads and pollution ..."

"Robert Bolton, director of water and sewer for the city of Vero Beach, began investigating other options. He settled on an Orenco effluent sewer system, also known as a Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP) system, which was estimated to cost $11 million in comparison to the original $22.5 million proposal [for gravity sewer]." Read More >

“An Iowa Farm Community Finds Solution to Wastewater Woes”

“The State of Iowa determined it was time to modernize the wastewater system in Woden, a cluster of homes in the rural north-central part of the state … The previous system consisted of individual septic tanks for each home, but they discharged into a ditch that ran into the channelized Lindsey Creek along the eastern side of Woden. Replacements are being ordered for direct discharge systems across the state.

“… Engineers from Jacobson-Westergard & Associates in Estherville, Iowa, designed a system to handle the community’s wastewater without the expense of a small treatment plant. Each property received a 1,600-gallon concrete septic tank … These are dual-chamber tanks with half dedicated to settling and the other half housing an Orenco Systems model PF100511-30 effluent pump package with floats already in place. The tank provides settling and primary treatment.

“… Mains and lift stations move wastewater uphill to a lagoon about a half mile north of Woden, where tertiary treatment of the effluent occurs.” Read More >