Services

Home Major Hydrogeological / Research Projects Completed
or Being Conducted by
B.F. Environmental Consultants Professional Hydrogeologic and
Geological Services Low Impact Development and Stormwater Management Topics PA Sewage Enforcement Officer and Professional Soil Scientist Consulting Services Natural Gas Exploration and
Renewable Energy Development Community Outreach Professional Training Workshops – Face-to-Face, Field, or Online.

Septic Systems

On-lot Disposal- The Pennsylvania Perspective What is a Soil? Septic Installation / Construction

Septic Systems (PA Perspective)

The Pennsylvania Perspective to On-lot and Land-based Wastewater Disposal Systems is being provided by B. F. Environmental Consultants, Inc., Water-Research Center, and the WP Online University. This on-line guide to on-lot wastewater disposal in Pennsylvania provides basic information on approved, alternative and experimental land-based wastewater disposal and recharge systems. This online resource provides general information on the selection, siting, sizing, and maintenance of on-site wastewater disposal systems for residential, commercial, and community applications.

1.0 Septic System Use

2.0 The Black Box -The Septic System

2.0.1 Septic Tank

2.0.2 How Septic Tanks Work

2.0.3 Septic Tank Sizing

2.1 Aerobic Tank

2.2 Grease Traps (commercial facilities) Aerobic Tank

2.3 Soil Absorption Areas Aerobic

2.3.1 Conventional

2.3.1.1 Seepage Bed

2.3.1.2 Standard Trench

2.3.2 Subsurface Sand Filter Beds and Trenches

2.3.3 Elevated Sand Mound

2.3.4 Elevated Sand Trench

3.0 Septic System Dos and Do Nots

4.0 Characteristics of Domestic Wastewater

4.1 Septic Tank Treatment Efficiency

5.0 Spray Irrigation

5.1 Individual Residential Spray Irrigation System (IRSIS)

5.2 Large Volume Slow Rate Irrigation

5.2.1 Hydraulic Loading Rate

5.2.2 Nitrogen Limitation Hydraulic Loading Rate

6.0 Evapotranspiration System

7.0 Peat Bio-Filter

8.0 Drip Irrigation and Drip Micromound

8.1 Siting Requirements

8.2 Treatment Requirements

9.0 Other Alternative Systems, like Composting Toilets

9.1 Drip Micro-Mound (Under Development)

9.2 Geotextile Sand Filter (GSF) - (Under Development)

10.0 Other Systems - Not Approved in Pennsylvania (under development)

11.0 Approved PA Systems (pdf) Feb 2004

12.0 Alternative Experimental Systems PA (pdf), Jan 2003

13.0 Greywater and Reuse Systems

Online Training Courses that Support - Septic Systems

On-site Wastewater Systems Training Course (4 credit hours)

Wastewater - Design, Installation and O&M Guidelines (4 credit hours)

Design and Selection of Small Wastewater Systems (3 credit hours)

Wastewater Treatment Design (Advanced) (3 credit hours)

Featured Events and Outreach

Schedule a Workshop Today!

We are in the process of setting up Face-to-Face Courses. We will be scheduling courses in soil science, soil morphology, hydric soils, and water sampling.

Current Featured Course
Field Training Course Scheduled for August 15, 2025 (Register Here)
Hands on Field Training Course Describing Soils

New Training Portal Launched - Training Professionals‍

More Training Courses

Continuing Education Courses (Multi-State Approval) for Licensed Professionals

Keep in mind we may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. The companies we partner with, and the products we recommend have been selected for their quality. If you purchase a course, please share your experience so that we continue to recommend the best products possible. Feedback

Get on the Path to Clean Water

KnowYourH2O is a global educational and outreach web portal that empowers private well owners, city water users, and citizen scientists through fact-based tools, hands-on training, and accessible resources—covering both indoor and outdoor water quality concerns.

KnowYourH2O.com created by BF Environmental's founder Brian Oram, licensed professional geologist.

Whether you're a homeowner, business owner, or citizen scientist, the web portal is your guide on the Path to Clean Water. “Get Informed, Get Tested, Get Treatment” and take meaningful action toward clean water stewardship. Visit to Learn More.

Septic Systems (PA Perspective)

Table of Contents

Online Training Courses that Support - Septic Systems