More than you wanted to know about your Oldham brand Aeration Sewage Treatment System!

Oldham brand aeration sewage treatment systems have an initial break-in period of six-to-eight weeks, during which time bacteria establish themselves in the unit. The development of these biological colonies occur naturally with the addition of sanitary wastes, so we recommend you use all your plumbing facilities in a normal manner from initial start-up. You may notice a septic odor during this initial break in period, this should clear up within 2-3 weeks. You may also notice a tendency for the unit to foam from laundry wastes during this period. This is normal and it should cease by the sixth week. You can help by using only moderate amounts of low-sudsing biodegradable detergents.

An Oldham brand aeration sewage treatment system, operating properly and well maintained will NOT smell bad. The smell should be similar to what it smells like after a farmer plows their field, a kind of musty-earthy smell. The color in the aeration chamber should be chocolate brown. If a system smells bad, it is probably not operating long enough (or not at all). See below for how long it should run.

Sewage treatment is a multi-stage process to renovate wastewater before it reenters a body of water. The goal is to reduce or remove organic matter, solids, nutrients, disease-causing organisms and other pollutants from wastewater.

Suggested Detergents, Bleaches & Toilet Paper for use in an Oldham Aeration Septic System

Detergents (for non HE machines) Bleaches Cleaning products: Recommend using non- All HE detergents are acceptable (only use powdered) chlorine, non-ammonia, non-antibacterial, non- Should be concentrated, powdered, low- Biz toxic and bio-degradable. sudsing, low (or no)-phosphate, and bio-degradable. Avoid multiple wash loads (3 or more) in one day; Amway S-A-8 Bright spread out your laundry during the week. Multiple loads will "flush" the system, resulting in the Arm & Hammer Clorox II sewage not being treated. Recommend using the Boraxo Snowy concentrated form of laundry detergent, as fillers Cheer Sears in the economy size containers do not dissolve Dash Oxyclean easily. Equator Oxyfresh Fresh Start Do not operate dishwasher and washing machine Oxydol NOT at the same time. Aeration systems should use powdered detergent to recommended prevent foaming in the aeration chamber. (Septic tank Repair leaking/flowing faucets or toilets systems should use liquid detergents.) immediately. Use water flow reducing devices Only the concentrated forms of laundry detergent are All whenever possible. Limit excessive water use of recommended. Filler materials used in “economy size” any kind. containers do not dissolve readily. Toilet Tissue (should readily dissolve) Surf

Cottenelle Tide This list has been compiled from recommendations of service White Cloud Wisk providers and is not scientific or otherwise tested and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement from the Union Northern Liquid fabric County Health Department. softener – use dryer sheets

The Oldham system is sensitive to the amount of water used. Be sure to conserve water as much as possible, for example use low flow faucet aerators and low flow shower heads. When (or if) you need to replace a toilet, replace it with a low flow model. If you have a whirlpool bathtub, try not to use it very often, since these tubs can use from 40 to 100 gallons at a time, this is too much water for the system to handle at once, when you drain it, try to drain it in stages with at least an hour or so between stages.

When you do laundry, space it out through the week, laundry should not be done all in one day. When possible, allow an hour or so, between loads. Never do more than 2-3 loads of laundry in one day. This can "flush" the system, resulting in the sewage not being treated. For aeration systems, we recommend using powdered laundry detergents, since they do not foam up as much. If you’re in the market for a new washing machine, you should consider a high efficiency models. Most conventional washers use about 40 gallons per load, where front loaders use about 25 gallons or less per load.

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If your system is not working properly or you want to have a service contract, contact one of the approved aeration service companies listed below (these companies will all service the Oldham brand system):

Bluffton Aeration Service Jet & Oldham authorized service provider Everclean Aeration Service 800-589-3912 Multi-Flo & Nyadic authorized service provider [email protected] 614-877-9999 [email protected] Buckeye Aeration Service, Inc. Oldham authorized service provider Steve Hayner 937-644-1625 Oldham authorized service provider [email protected] 937-644-9775

The Oldham treatment process is accomplished in 4 steps. The Oldham Sewage Treatment System utilizes the extended aeration process, which treats sewage by stabilization of organic matter. This is achieved by thoroughly mixing fresh and treated sewage in an oxygen-saturated environment combined with continuously controlled sludge return. Extended aeration of the recirculating solids produces a clear odorless effluent.

Pre Treatment (1st Compartment) The first compartment, 400 gallons capacity, receives the raw sewage from the house. All foreign matter and heavier solids settle in this compartment. The solids that will decompose in water (comprising more than 99% of the solids) together with the liquid waste, then pass through a vitrified elbow into the second compartment.

Aeration Treatment (2nd Compartment) Aeration treatment is a biological treatment process to remove dissolved organic matter from wastewater. In the second compartment, air, which is supplied by a positive displacement type pump located in a riser on top of the tank, is discharged into the contents of the compartment near the inlet wall and near the bottom of the tank. The discharge of air at this point causes the liquid in the compartment to circulate or roll with sufficient force that all of the solids in the sewage are maintained in suspension in the liquid. Sewage microorganisms or "bugs" eat organic matter from sewage as their food supply. Just like fish in an aquarium need air, the "bugs" in an aeration system need air also. As the bugs eat organic matter and nutrients from the wastewater they grow in size and number. Oxygen in the solution creates an environment favorable to the growth of aerobic bacteria. These microscopic organisms digest the solids in the sewage within the period of 24 hours. The capacity of this compartment is 600 gallons, more than the daily treatment capacity of the system. The average sewage flow from an individual residence is 400 gallons per day.

Backwash water containing salt from water softener should by-pass waste water systems.

Clarifier Chamber (3rd Compartment) The third component is the clarifier. When the contents of the aeration compartment enter the clarifier, the treated solids, no longer subjected to the rapid circulation of the aeration compartment, settle to the bottom of the clarifier and return to the aeration compartment by gravity through a slot, where they are further digested. It is important this opening be kept clear; regular pumping of the system does this. The lighter solids, which will float, are returned to the aeration compartment by means of a skimming device located at the surface of the liquid. Clear liquid is discharged from the clarifier form a point 2” below the surface of the liquid, through a vitrified elbow, and then carried to the point of discharge through the effluent pipe.

Ground water from basement drain tiles and storm water must not be discharged into the system, as it will create a hydraulic overload, which will destroy the aerobic digestion process.

Any discharge of wastewater in excess of the rated capacity should also be avoided.

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Final Treatment There may be a filter following the aeration system. Many of these filters can and should be backwashed or cleaned every time the system is pumped out. There are many types of filters, requiring different types of care. Contact your Service Provider or your local Health Department if you have any questions. Final treatment focuses on removal of disease- causing organisms from wastewater.

Motor & Timer To conform to the testing procedures, under which all individual residential aerated sewage treatment systems are tested, sufficient air for the aerobic digestion process, and circulation of the contents of the aeration compartment, is supplied by a motor and blower unit which delivers 14 cubic feet of air per minute at 2 pounds pressure. To properly treat the wastewater of an average household the ½ horsepower motor will consume 85 to 90 kilowatts of electricity per month.

The motor is controlled by a timer and is set to operate the necessary length of time (see below) to properly treat the sewage. This operating time will vary depending upon the amount of sewage to be treated each day. An undersupply of oxygen retards the aerobic digestion process and will result in a septic condition, which will cause an offensive odor. An oversupply of oxygen will result in too much aerobic digestion and the solids will become too light to settle and will be discharged with the effluent.

Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the correct amount of oxygen in the contents of the aeration compartment. The proper oxygen content can be readily determined by noting the color of the contents, which should be a chocolate brown. Different timers allow you to set the time in different ways, be sure the timer is set so the system is never off more than 4 hours at a time.

Number of people Length of time the motor should run in the house (never off longer than 4 hours at one time) 1-2 Min 12 hours per day 3-4 12-18 hours per day 5-6 18-22 hours per day more than 7 continuously (no timer)

This is only a guide to how long the system should run; your family might need to run the system longer or shorter, depending on your water usage. If you have any questions regarding this, contact the Union County Health Department.

If you go on vacation, the system should be left running; you could set the timer back to 6-8 hours per day, but as soon as you return, reset it according the schedule above.

Electric Controls The 120-volt motor is protected by a fuse and a warning light, located under the fiberglass dome of the equipment riser. (You may have concrete lids) In the event the fuse burns out, the red warning light will glow, indicating that the motor is not operating and service is necessary. (Many systems do not have this warning light.)

The service company’s name is often attached to the aerator motor or timer. Should the system require service, the homeowner should contact one of the service companies listed above.

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To Prevent Malfunction Of Your Sewage Treatment System The Following Materials Should NOT Be Discharged Into The Sewer:

 Plastic materials (including condoms)  Tissues  Tampons, tampon applicators, sanitary pads, etc.  Any grease or fatty materials  Cloth  Oily materials, motor oils, grease, kerosene, gasoline,  Large quantities of acids or caustics – soaps or cleaning paints, etc. materials, with a high or low pH  Any material which does not disintegrate or dissolve readily  Cigarette butts  Backwash water from water softeners  Disposable diapers  Sump pump discharge  Rubber products  Coffee grounds  Paper towels or baby wipes

In short, the only thing that should be flushed is human waste and toilet paper. All other items will create problems, this includes septic system additives! There are no additives that will significantly help the system, and there are some that will hurt the system. Your system will work better if you do not treat it like a trash can.

Estimated Septic Tank Pumping Frequency in Years (For Year-Round Residence) Household Size (number of people) Pretreatment Tank Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 500 gallons (typical size of the aeration 5.8 2.6 1.5 1.0 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 --- system pretreatment tank) From: Septic Tank Maintenance, AEX-740-98, by Karen M. Mancl Professor of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Extension Specialist, Water Quality

These are the Septic Tank pumpers located in Union County (you are welcome to use any licensed septic tank pumper) Clarridge's Discount Septic Tank 937-644-3191 Hayner Plumbing & Heating 937-644-9775 Warner's Liquid Waste Hauling 614-873-8648

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact your Union County Health Department at 937-642-2053 or [email protected]

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