Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center Innovative System Performance Results

ETI Program Two-Year Performance Report

A two year summary report on nitrogen removal performance of five alternative septic system technologies is now available
Report published in September 2002 Environment Cape Cod Journal. This is a preprint with most editorial changes included. (187 kb pdf file – Improved Oct. 2003 PDF version) . Citation: Costa, J., G. Heufelder, S. Foss, N.P. Millham, and B.L. Howes. 2002. Nitrogen removal efficiencies of three alternative septic technologies and a conventional septic system. Environment Cape Cod 5(1):15-24

ETI Program Fact Sheets and Final Reports

The fact sheets below are downloadable pdf files. Right click on them to save to your computer without opening them. The graphics have been downgraded somewhat (300 dpi) to reduce file size. Also, because of subtle font changes in the creation of these files for web distribution, layout and alignment may not match precisely the printed copies of these fact sheets. If you want original copies of the fact sheets printed at higher resolution on glossy paper, please send an email to us.

May 2004 update: Files optimized for size, generally reduced by half of values below.

Cover letter from Environmental Affairs Secretary Bob Durand (a 92 kb jpg file)

Explanation of the fact sheets
(a 296 kb pdf file, first year interim findings, dated 7/6/01)

Title 5 system results
(an 826 kb pdf file, first year interim findings, dated 7/6/01)

ECO-RUCK system results
(a 797 kb pdf file, first year interim findings, dated 7/6/01)

MicroFAST system results
(a 601 kb pdf file, first year interim findings, dated 7/6/01)

Final ETI report for the MicroFAST
(a 445 kb pdf file, posted August 2004).

Waterloo Biofilter system results
(an 831 kb pdf file, first year interim findings, dated 7/6/01)

Final ETI report for the Waterloo Biofilter
(a 1.1 MB pdf file, posted August 2004).

A non-proprietary recirculating sand filter (RSF) system results
(a 745 kb pdf file, first year interim findings, dated 10/31/01)

F. R. Mahoney & Associates Amphidrome system results
(a 624 kb pdf file, first year interim findings, dated 10/31/01, revised 5/02)

Note: Amphidrome was tested a three times the dosage rate as the Title 5 system, and therefore had only 1/3 the rainfall dilution in the leachfield. This higher dosage rate was not accounted for in the original fact sheet. Discharge to groundwater is now estimated to be 11.3 ppm total N, as compared to 12.1 ppm total N previously estimated.

Final ETI report for the F. R. Mahoney & Associates Amphidrome system
(a 486 kb pdf file, posted August 2004).

Geoflow Wasteflow Drip Line with Rootguard system results
(a 941 kb pdf file, first year interim findings, dated 10/31/01)

Final ETI report for the GeoFlow system
(a 486 kb pdf file, posted August 2004).

Other Results

Heufelder et al., PERFORMANCE OF INNOVATIVE ALTERNATIVE ONSITE SEPTIC SYSTEMS FOR THE REMOVAL OF NITROGEN IN BARNSTABLE COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS 1999-2007. See our comments about this report on our MASSTC Main page

EPA’s ETV Program

The US EPA’s Technology Verification (ETV) Program supported an effort to evaluate residential nutrient reduction septic system technologies, in partnership with the NSF International (founded as the National Sanitation Federation, a non-profit) Four of the six technologies were tested at MASSTC.

Waterloo Biofilter Systems, Inc.: Model 4
Website: www.waterloo-biofilter.com

F.R. Mahony & Associates, Inc.: AmphidromeTM Model Single Family
Website: www.frmahoney.com

AWT Environmental: Bioclere Model 16/12
website: www.aquapoint.com

Septitech Inc.: Septitech Model 400
website: www.septitech.com

Bio-Microbics: RetroFAST 0.375
website: www.biomicrobics.com/

BioConcepts, Inc.: eCip RTS ~ 500 System
website: www.bioconceptsinc.com/

Read this EPA fact sheet about the effort.