|
Liability |
All
system components are completely closed and
secured eliminating any potential for human
contact with the wastewater. |
The open
tops and equipment at these plants create a
very hazardous environment. |
Media
filters and wetland treatment systems are
open basins that allow children to come in
direct contact with wastewater. |
|
Aesthetics/Noise |
All
components are below ground reducing the
potential for odors and are aesthetically
more attractive. |
The
majority of the equipment is above ground
increasing the potential for odors and can
take away from the aesthetics of the
surrounding area. Noise can also be an issue
if sound-proof enclosures are not used. |
Media
filters and wetland systems can build up
with weeds and become unattractive as well
as create a breeding ground for mosquitoes
and other nuisances. |
|
Watertight Construction |
The
enclosed design completely eliminates
rainwater inflow and infiltration. |
The tops
are open allowing rain to enter the system
as well as bird feces and other
contaminants. |
Media
filters and wetland systems have open tops
which result in drainage field overflows and
solids washout during rainfall events. |
|
Land
Use |
Space
saving compact design allows for optimal
land use. No additional space is required
because the bacpac® sits directly on top of
the septic tank. |
Mechanical plants are restricted from remote
locations with limited site access roads due
to construction issues. |
These
systems require a large amount of land. They
are also restricted by site topography. |
|
Capital Investment |
System
components are modulized allowing the
facilities to be expanded as growth actually
occurs. |
Requires
a significant capital investment due to
initial minimum infrastructure requirements. |
Requires
a significant capital investment due to
initial minimum infrastructure requirements. |
|
Energy Requirements |
The
bacpac® system utilizes solar energy which
results in low energy usage. |
High
energy requirements. |
Advanced
on-site systems have high energy
requirements. |
|
Life
Expectancy |
All
components of the system are constructed of
non-corrosive materials with an indefinite
life expectancy. |
Short
life cycle due to corrosion of materials.
The majority of the components have less
than a 20 year life expectancy. |
These
systems will eventually clog with solids
after 10 to 20 years of operation. |
|
Installation |
All
components are pre-manufactured reducing
chances for construction errors and reducing
installation time and costs. |
A
significant amount of the plant must be site
constructed even when using package plants.
These systems require large cranes and other
machinery for installation. Highly skilled
contractors are required to weld components
and install the electrical systems. |
With most
on-site systems, almost the entire system
must be site constructed on every project.
This includes constructing the basin,
placing and welding the liners, constructing
the piping system, finding and placing the
gravel, and finding and placing the plants.
Also, these systems cannot be installed in
inclement weather conditions. |
|
Expansion |
The
system is pre-engineered reducing system
design costs and allowing the plant to be
expanded without additional engineering
costs. |
Must be
re-engineered every time the plant is
expanded. |
Once
these systems are constructed, it is very
difficult if not impossible to expand them. |
|
Operation |
Simple
operation. The treatment system is a single
pass "flow in - flow out" system with no
complicated control systems. A certified
operator is not required to operate this
system. |
Complicated operation. Requires a certified
wastewater operator with special training to
operate. |
On-site
systems with advanced treatment capabilities
are significantly more complicated to
operate than conventional septic systems.
They typically include very complicated
control systems to function properly. |
|
Dependability |
The
bacpac® is designed to handle raw sewage.
The system is self cleaning and won't clog
from trash or fats, oils, and grease. |
Constant
operator attention is required to keep
system components clean and free from
debris. |
These
systems are very prone to clogging because
they cannot handle solids. Constant operator
attention is required to prevent any solids
from entering the treatment equipment. |
|
The
bacpac® is unaffected by hydraulic and
organic shock loads and won't "dry out" or
"die-out" with varying flow rates. |
Must have
a percentage of the design flow to the
system for proper operation. These systems
are very difficult to operate in
applications with large seasonal
fluctuations in water usage. |
On-site
systems are unable to sustain themselves in
low to no flow conditions like seasonal
water usage or vacation periods. |
|
Bi-Products |
Minimal
amounts of bio-solids are produced. The
majority of the bio-solids are reduced by
digestion within the system. |
Large
amounts of sludge are produced requiring
significant handling operational issues. |
Large
amounts of sludge are produced requiring
significant handling operational issues. |
|
Environmental |
The
bacpac® system provides primary, secondary,
and tertiary treatment in one simple, single
pass, flow through system. The end result is
a cleaner discharge which is better for the
environment. |
The
effluent from the treatment system is
discharged into surface waters and can add
to nutrient levels in downstream water
bodies causing odors and algae blooms. |
On-site
systems only convert nitrogen to a less
toxic form of nitrogen and do not remove
phosphorous. This causes algae blooms and
other pollution problems in downstream
waterways. |
