How your aerobic system works
A plain-English guide for new owners: what's in the ground, what the lights mean, and how to keep it healthy between visits.
Four stages, one control panel
An aerobic system treats household wastewater with air and bacteria, disinfects it, and sprays it on your yard. Here's the path water takes.
Do
- Keep the chlorinator stocked with about 3 tablets at a time, labeled for wastewater disinfection.
- Spread laundry over the week instead of doing it all in one day.
- Keep lids, the panel and spray heads clear of brush and pine straw.
- Read your maintenance report after each visit.
- Call the office when a red or yellow light comes on. If water won't drain in your home, stop using water until we've checked the system.
Don't
- Use swimming pool chlorine tablets. TCEQ warns they don't disinfect properly and can release an explosive gas.
- Pour grease or harsh cleaners down the drain.
- Use the garbage disposal more than you have to. Try to use it as little as possible.
- Turn off the power to silence an alarm and forget about it.
- Drive or park over the tanks or spray lines.
What the lights are telling you
Exact meanings vary by brand and panel, but most alarms come down to two things.
High water. Often a failed water pump, clogged spray heads or filters, or more water going in than the system can handle. Cut back on water use and call us.
Low air. Usually a broken air pump, a broken air line, or low water in the aeration chamber. Without air, the bacteria die off and the system starts to smell.
Either way: call (832) 530-5945. Our trucks carry parts for most brands.
Why you need a maintenance contract
New aerobic systems come with a two-year service policy. After that, Texas requires a contract with a licensed maintenance provider, or approved self-maintenance where your county allows it.
every 4 months
every 3 months
Example calendars. Your visit months depend on when your contract starts.
Questions about your system?
Call us. We're happy to explain what you've got in the ground.