Southern Water and Soil - Septic Experts

Southern Water and Soil, Inc., designs, engineers, installs, and maintains septic systems throughout the Tampa, Florida area. SWS is your one stop septic expert. SWS can complete the septic system from soup to nuts. We would love to earn your septic system installation business.

If you have a failing septic system, don’t fret, call SWS and get your septic system evaluated. Septic tank physics is our specialty. We have cameras and tools to properly diagnose your septic system.

If you need a new septic system then give SWS a call we have the right machines to get your job done correctly. A properly installed septic system should last 18-30 years. SWS will provide the guidance and education you need to get your septic tank and drainfield properly installed and covered.

Do you need a mound septic system? Do you want a mound system? Let SWS show the septic system alternatives. We can give you the septic system education to help you decide which system is best.

Septic Service Company in Tampa, Florida– SWS Septic

By Taylor Sonoqui

If you are looking for a good septic company in Tampa, Florida then look no further than your local septic experts at Southern Water and Soil, Inc. Greg Mayfield is the owner of SWS, and he comes with a lot of septic system know-how! Greg’s experience includes working for the Florida Department of Health in Tampa as a septic system inspector and working as a septic system installer for SWS. Mayfield says, “Looking at septic systems from both sides of the fence gives one a different perspective than most septic system installers.” That is true! If you see the systems that have worked and the ones that have prematurely failed over the years then you can determine the best types of septic systems to install. SWS likes to install it right the first time. That is the philosophy behind SWS, “We want people to be educated about their septic system… Let’s help the consumer make an educated decision on what is being installed.” Learning about the different components and how a septic system works is important to the consumer. If educated about the septic system options, generally, septic system owners’ will make the decision to do it right the first time. The consumer has to live with this system for a number of years. Installing a system that meets code can still be designed wrong. Mayfield asks the right questions to get to your septic system needs under control. A one size fits all approach is not always best for the consumer. “We don’t just install systems to the minimum standards unless that is truly what the consumer wants and they know that is the decision they are making” says Mayfield. SWS tries to provide the information needed for the consumer to make the best educated decision and the needs for their septic system.

There are so many components to a properly performing septic system. We will try to go over some of the different septic systems in an effort to provide a basic septic system education. Standard Gravity Septic System –In a standard system that is powered by gravity the pipes allow sewage to enter the septic tank through piping under gravity power. Solids build up in the septic tank and the effluent carries on to a distribution device (i.e., distribution box, gravity manifold, step down boxes, etc.). The effluent then travels to the drainfield product (i.e., gravel, chambers, plastic pipes, tire chips, etc.) The final treatment is in the soil beneath the drainfield material where the soil soaks up and carries the effluent away. This is a critical component of the septic system working correctly.

Septic Tank and Drainfield Installation

Lift Dosing Septic System – In a lift dosing septic system there is an added component in the septic system. This added component is the septic lift tank or dosing tank. This is an additional tank added to the septic system after the standard septic tank. Generally, there is a filter installed in the septic tank that keeps the solids out of the lift dosing tank and consequently out of the drainfield. The reasons for installing a lift dosing tank is to overcome limitations that gravity can’t achieve. Usually, this limitation has something to do with the soils or water table in the area. Sometimes a mound system is required due to these limitations and it becomes necessary to install a dosing tank to lift the water up and into the distribution system.

Septic Drainfield Installation

Low Pressure Dosing System or Low Pressure Pipe System – A low pressure dosing system is a type of distribution system that utilizes pumps to achieve pressure in smaller diameter pipes (i.e., 1”, 1.5”, or 2” diameter). These pressurized systems provide even distribution of the effluent throughout the entire drainfield area. The small diameter pipe is installed in the drainfield product and has a blow off valve at the end for periodic flushing and pressure head testing.

Low Pressure Dosing System

Drip Irrigation System – A drip irrigation system can be used once you provide enough screening and treatment to allow flow through the small diameter pipes used for the drip dispersal. Drip irrigation provides many benefits to the homeowner. The system is more flexible and provides an excellent means of even distribution. Also, it provides nutrients directly to the plants roots. This method of disposal can be used to reduce fill requirements and lessen mound sizes. Many states require pre-treatment before dispersal into a drip irrigation system.

Drip Irrigation System

Aerobic Treatment System – An aerobic treatment system utilizes oxygen in the tank to provide additional biological treatment of the septic tank effluent. The benefits of an aerobic treatment system or aerobic treatment unit (ATU) is that these systems allow drainfield reductions. Therefore, if you need to fit a house on a small piece of property then these systems come in handy. Also, these systems can be used on other systems such as pre-treatment for drip irrigation systems and for people wishing to pro-long the life of their drainfield. An ATU with a regular sized drainfield can last a lot longer than an anerobic septic system.

Aerobic Treatment Unit

If you are looking for septic service in the Tampa, Florida area then SWS can definitely get you the septic system information that you need. SWS provides septic system design, septic system engineering, septic system installation, septic system maintenance, and site suitability analysis for new septic systems. SWS provides septic system service to Tampa, Lutz, Odessa, Wesley Chapel, Land O Lakes, Zephyrhills, Dade City, Brandon, Thonotosassa, Plant City, Riverview, Gibsonton, and Clearwater. Give SWS a call at 813-785-0500 or 813-857-5283.

Drain field Replacement

Southern Water and Soil, Inc., completed a drainfield replacement project in Lutz, Florida. The drainfield was expanded due to poor performance of the previous septic system. The original drainfield was much smaller in size and did not have enough drainfield installed for the amount of water used. If you are having drainfield drainage problems or slow draining plumbing due to your septic system drainfield then give SWS a call. We are available to diagnose your septic system problems. At SWS, we want you to be educated as to what is the best drainfield system for your home.

Southern Water and Soil, Inc., is the Tampa Bay Area’s most qualified septic company. SWS is a licensed septic contracting and engineering company. Whether your project is residential or commercial SWS can solve your situation. SWS strives to make their customers completely satisfied.

Commercial septic system installed in Florida. SWS is the commercial septic system experts.

Septic Tank and Drainfield Installation

SWS is septic company in Tampa that has the experience to get it done. We installed tight residential jobs that other installers couldn’t get installed or permitted. SWS can review your project to get the system to fit on your lot. The use of drip irrigation reduces the size of the system while providing beneficial reuse of the wastewater.

Geoflow drip irrigation system for wastewater reuse in Florida

Please call SWS today to get us to review project 1-813-785-0500.

Failed Drainfield System

There are many reasons that cause a septic system and drainfield fail. The technicians here at SWS have seen evidence of drainfield failure. We will go over some of the many reasons that can cause your drainfield to fail.

1. Excessive Water Use – Most people can’t afford an infinite sized drainfield. Therefore, water use should be monitored to achieve a happy medium between your drainfield size and your water use. In Florida, the soil type and particle size determine the size of your septic system drainfield. A sandy soil that has low organics in the soil can handle more water on a daily basis than a clayey soil that is limited in pore space.

2. Flushing Improper Things – Your septic tank is not a garbage can. Don’t flush items such as coffee grounds, fats, oils, and greases down the drain. Some people don’t even realize that they are doing something wrong. They take a bath in oils and allow these oils to drain right down the drain eventually destroying the drainfield with a coat of oil in the drainfield area.

3. Improper Sizing of Drainfield – In Florida, our sandy soils are very forgiving. However, with increased use of alternative drainfield products that receive drainfield size reductions septic system drainfields are being put in that are too small for needs of the family using the septic system. It is very important to understand the size requirements of your drainfield and the type of product that best suits your septic system needs.

4. Clogged Effluent Filter – Effluent filters are great for protecting your drainfield. If you know you have an effluent filter this can be one of the first steps to check during a septic problem.

Clogged Effluent Filter

5. Water Softners – The brine from water softners can cause the septic tank to become disrupted from its natural way of separating solids and liquids. This causes problems in the effluent filter, excessive water in the drainfield, and mineralized water entering the drainfield.

6. Biomat Build Up – Overtime a build up of organic material made up of bacteria, sludge, and dead organisms occur underneath the drainfield area. This build up seals off the infiltration surface and causes the drainfield to back up in the system and even into the house.

Biomat Clogged Drainfield

7. Excessive Tree Roots – Trees that are near the drainfield and tank cancause the system to be clogged with with roots in the pipes, tank, and drainfield. It is a good idea to not plant trees near your drainfield.

8. Distribution Box that is clogged or collapsed – The distribution box is a device that evenly distributes the septic tank effluent to the drainfield drain lines or leach field line. The build up from sludge and biomat can clog the distribution box. Also, heavy equipment can crush the D-Box allowing sand and debris to fill the voids inside the distribution box.

Clogged Distribution Box

If you are looking for commercial septic tank contractor in Florida, then you have come to the right spot. Southern Water and Soil, Inc., is a septic contracting and wastewater engineering company. In Florida, systems that are less than 10,000 gallons per day are regulated by The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and systems that are over 10,000 gallons are regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Commercial systems that have a flow greater than 5,000 gpd are regulated by FDEP.

Commercial septic system installed in Florida. SWS is the commercial septic system experts.

Commercial Septic Installation in Florida

Whether you need septic system engineering, installation, or maintenance you can always call SWS.  The team at SWS has years of experience in the septic and wastewater industry.

SWS Three-Step Maintenance

By Amanda Furmage-Deck

Everyone knows that in order to increase the life of a vehicle, it must undergo routine, preventive maintenance which can include changing the engine oil, replacing the brake pads, and adjusting the alignment. In addition, the exterior of a vehicle should be washed and waxed on a regular basis to ensure the removal of dust, dirt, grime and any other foreign materials that could adhere to and damage the paint.

Caring for a septic system is just like caring for a vehicle in that a decentralized wastewater system’s life can be extended through routine, preventive maintenance. The experts at Southern Water and Soil, Inc. perform a three-step maintenance program in order to increase the longevity of your septic system.

1.      Regular Septic Tank Pumping Service

Many contractors recommend that a septic tank be pumped every three to five years. However, not all septic systems are the same. Southern Water and Soil will examine the size of your tank, the age of the system, the number of occupants in the home, if you use a garbage disposal, the amount of laundry done per week within the home, and the drain field soil before deciding how often your septic tank should be pumped.

Routine, preventive septic system maintenance is extremely important. Just like a vehicle, repairing or replacing a failing wastewater treatment system can be extremely expensive. When compared to replacing an entire septic system for thousands of dollars, routine pumping prices are significantly less, averaging just $100 to $300 per year.

Secondly, clogged or damaged septic systems can result in an expensive and unwanted mess. Not only can toilets back up after flushing and foul odors saturate the air, but toxic sewage can appear on the surface of your lawn which can generate severe threats to public health, pollute nearby bodies of water used for commercial and recreational activities, and decrease property values.

2.      Bacteria and Enzyme Additive

Southern Water and Soil, Inc. will go the extra mile to ensure the safety of your family, your community, and the environment by adding one cup of a bacteria and enzyme additive to your system at the time of service. This additive keeps your waste water pipes clean, destroys plumbing odors, and decomposes organic waste. Rather than pouring a commercial chemical additive down your drain that can potentially destroy the beneficial drain field bacteria, put your trust in SWS’s proven bacteria and enzyme septic tank shock treatment.

3.      Effluent Filter

A septic tank effluent filter is an important aspect of a wastewater treatment system as it acts as a strainer, preventing hair, grime, and other solid particles from entering and clogging the drain field pipes. Therefore, solids are retained in the tank, enhancing their decomposition. Southern Water and Soil recommends this filtration unit be cleaned during each septic tank pumping.

If it’s time for your septic system to undergo routine, preventive maintenance, and you live in Hillsborough, Pasco, or Pinellas Counties, contact Southern Water and Soil today. You can trust them for their experience, quality products, and quality customer service. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Cluster Wastewater Treatment Systems

By Amanda Furmage-Deck

Since the housing boom of the early 2000s, small communities, or housing developments, have been popping up throughout the West Central Florida region, usually in undeveloped rural areas that experienced high rates of population growth. Because most of these development sites were not able to be served by municipal wastewater facilities, each home would have to rely on an on-site septic system consisting of a septic tank and drain field to dispose of wastewater.

However, in most cases, alternative shared wastewater systems were utilized to serve small clusters of homes or entire neighborhoods. According to Purdue University, shared or “cluster systems bridge the gap between [municipal sewage systems and on-site septic systems] in small communities where neither [system] is feasible.”

When installing a cluster wastewater treatment system, there are many different options and technologies to consider. For example, effluent can be collected and transported using pressure, small-diameter gravity, or vacuum sewers. Effluent is then pretreated and finally dispersed into a soil absorption area.

The benefits of cluster wastewater treatment systems are endless. For example, installing an alternative sewer system is significantly less expensive than the conventional sewer system. The small-diameter plastic pipes used in a cluster wastewater treatment system require less excavation and lift stations. Unlike the heavy, large-diameter pipes used in conventional systems, plastic piping can follow the natural contours of the land. In other words, decreased site disruption equals lower prices and less mess.

When compared to the overall cost of individual on-site septic systems, the installation of cluster treatment systems are usually less as well, as shared community systems require less maintenance. Inspecting one system serving three or more homes, for instance, involves less work than inspecting three or more whole individual systems. In fact, the EPA stated, “Adequately managed decentralized wastewater systems are a cost-effective and long-term option for meeting public health and water quality goals.”

Cluster systems also help control future community growth while maintaining rural community character. For example, cluster systems preserve green areas—allowing for the construction of recreation parks, sports fields, community gardens, and walking/biking/equestrian trails—by permitting smaller lot sizes since each home does not need to install an on-site septic system. The urban sprawl witnessed throughout many suburban areas utilizing municipal sewage systems can be virtually eliminated, which also decreases air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

President Greg Mayfield and his experienced team at Southern Water and Soil, Inc. are available to install cluster wastewater treatment systems—cost effective, environmentally friendly, reliable wastewater collection treatment for growing communities. Their systems are permitted through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Health. Please call Southern Water and Soil today for design assistance or to schedule a presentation.

Below are a few more benefits of a SWS textile-based cluster wastewater system:

Does not produce foul odors

No noisy blowers

Does not require extended aeration

Requires up to 95% less energy

Compact and modular for easy expansion

Performs in storms, power outages, etc.

Significant reduction in operation and maintenance costs

Virtual elimination of long-term repair and replacement that is typically of conventional systems

Promotes sustainable development

Great for communities, small cities, rural enclaves, agricultural clusters, and commercial development

Diagnosing a Drain Field Failure

By Amanda Furmage-Deck

When household plumbing features back up, effluent appears on the surface of your lawn, and foul odors permeate the air, your septic system may be damaged. Although a simple septic tank pumping can solve most wastewater problems, sometimes the issue may lurk below the surface. Your drain field may be in danger.

As discussed in the previous post, drain fields play a vital role within the septic system. After exiting the septic tank, wastewater flows into the drain field pipes where it’s later absorbed and cleaned by the soil below. The drain field is an on-site wastewater recycling center and, without this significant feature, your septic system will not work.

Not only do the experts at Southern Water and Soil, Inc. install new drain fields, they will also repair failing drain field systems. Owner Greg Mayfield has over 20 years experience in environmental science and wastewater management and can quickly diagnose any drain field dilemma. Below are some things Southern Water and Soil will look for when examining your failing drain field.

Broken Drain Field Pipes

Drain field pipes can be found deep beneath your grassy lawn. However, activity taking place on the surface can cause significant damage to your system. Building structures such as patios, pools, and carports on top of, driving and parking vehicles over, and allowing large livestock to graze around the drain field can compact the surrounding soil. Soil compaction can result in depleted soil oxygen levels and cracked pipes. Nearby trees and shrubs can also break drain pipes as roots are attracted to the nutrient-rich soil surrounding the drain field.

Water Saturated Drain Field Soil Absorption Area

High water tables, poor soil conditions, and rainfall run-off can flood the soil absorption area that lies below the drain field pipes. When the soil absorption area is saturated, effluent can’t move down. Instead, untreated wastewater will seep up onto the surface of your lawn.

Unbalanced Bio-mat Bacteria

Two types of bacteria are present in a conventional septic drain field: aerobic (uses oxygen) and anaerobic (doesn’t use oxygen). When nutrient-rich wastewater enters the soil absorption area, a natural bio-mat or biofilm forms. This layer is composed of beneficial aerobic and anaerobic bacteria that slow down the flow of effluent while breaking down organic waste and removing pathogens at the same time. Without the bio-mat, wastewater would not be treated and could pollute the water table.

Bio-Mat Under Drainfield

The more a septic system is used, the less aerobic bacteria is present in the soil. As a result, anaerobic bacteria builds up and slows down the draining system to the point that the soil cannot absorb any more water. An unbalanced bio-film can cause the entire septic system to fail.

Tipped Distribution Box

Effluent enters the distribution box, or D-box, before flowing into the drain field pipes. The purpose of D-box is to ensure effluent is distributed evenly throughout the drain field system. On occasion, the D-box can tip or clog, causing one drain field line to flood.

Clogged Drain Field Pipes

When septic tanks aren’t pumped regularly, solids can build up in the tank and enter the drain field. Most of the time, these solids are composed of biodegradable materials that can be removed with special products or equipment. Yet, sometimes non-biodegradable substances such as disposable diapers and plastic products can clog the pipes, causing more significant damage to your septic system. To prevent sludge and scum build-up in your drain field lines, follow these helpful guidelines.

When your drain field is a problem, Southern Water and Soil, Inc. has the cost-effective solution you need. Be sure to call the SWS experts before a septic system disaster occurs.

Types of Drain Fields

By Amanda Furmage-Deck

Drain fields, also known as leach fields or leach drains, play a very crucial role within the septic system. These subsurface structures clean wastewater before it returns to the water cycle. Essentially, drain fields act as natural water recycling centers.

Before traveling to the drain field, wastewater enters the septic tank where it’s separated into sludge (heavy, sinking solids) and scum (floating solids such as oil and grease). Liquid waste, commonly known as effluent or grey water, can be found in between the sludge and scum layers. As new raw sewage enters the tank, the old wastewater is displaced and pushed toward the drain field.

When installing a new septic system, the experts at Southern Water and Soil, Inc. will design a drain field that best fits the features of your property according to municipal and state codes. They will examine the size of your lawn, soil type, water table depth, and other topographical features to ensure quality wastewater filtration.

Standard In-Ground Drain Fields

Standard drain fields consist of perforated pipes buried in a series of trenches filled with a porous material, usually gravel or sand, and covered with soil. Powered by gravity, the water slowly trickles through the pipes and into the soil which acts as a natural filter, capturing impurities before the water reaches the water table.

Drip Irrigation Drain Fields

Drip irrigation, also known as trickle, micro, or localized irrigation, is quickly becoming a popular choice among property owners for its “green” features. Unlike conventional gravity-based systems, pressurized drip irrigation drain fields recycle virtually 100 percent of treated wastewater, delivering it slowly to root zones of trees, plants, and shrubs. This advanced system requires much less space compared to traditional drain fields, allowing for the construction of larger homes on smaller lots and more usable yard space. Southern Water and Soil experts use Geoflow technologies when installing drip irrigation systems.

Plastic Chamber Drain Fields

These drain fields consist of large plastic vaulted chambers that require less land than conventional drain field systems. Wastewater flows freely into these chambers from the septic tank and is filtered directly into the soil. In other words, gravel or other porous materials are not needed with plastic chamber drain fields, significantly cutting the installation costs. Southern Water and Soil use Infiltrator products when installing plastic chamber drain fields.

Multi-Pipe Drain Fields

Offering sufficient storage space during periods of high demand or high rain, the Multi-Pipe system is a patented drain field product designed by Plastic Tubing Industries, Inc. The experts at Southern Water and Soil will install this gravel-less alternative system in areas with limited space or difficult topographical features.

Mound Drain Fields

Mound drain fields are raised bed septic systems constructed in areas where soil is not suitable for wastewater disposal. These areas consist of those containing extremely permeable soil with high water tables, soils with very slow infiltration rates, and very rocky sites.