Mound Systems for On-site Wastewater Treatment

Siting, Design and Construction in Ohio

Bulletin 813

Authors

Chien-Lin (Gibson) Chen, Ph.D., Principal Engineer
Brown and Caldwell

Karen Mancl, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering
The Ohio State University

This publication was financed in part through a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, under the provisions of Sections 319(b) of the Clean Water Act.

Based on: Wisconsin Mound Soil Absorption System: Siting, Design and Construction Manual by James Converse, Professor, Biological Systems Engineering and E. Jerry Tyler, Professor, Soil Science, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

For-sale publication
Copyright © 2004, Ohio State University Extension

Contents

• Mound Systems for Onsite Wastewater Treatment
• Where Should Mound Systems Be Used in Ohio?
• How Are Mound Systems Supposed to Work?
• How Are Mound Systems Designed?
• Mound System Design Example
  • Step 1. Evaluate Site Location for Mound System.
  • Step 2. Determine Design Wastewater Loading Rate.
  • Step 3. Select Linear Loading Rate.
  • Step 4. Select the Sand Fill Loading Rate.
  • Step 5. Determine the Distribution Area Width.
  • Step 6. Determine the Distribution Area Length.
  • Step 7. Select Basal Area Loading Rate.
  • Step 8. Determine the Basal Width.
  • Step 9. Determine Mound Sand Fill Upslope Depth.
  • Step 10. Determine Mound Sand Fill Downslope Depth.
  • Step 11. Distribution Area Aggregate Depth, Cover Depth, and Mound Cap Depth.
  • Step 12. Determine the Upslope Width.
  • Step 13. Determine the Downslope Width.
  • Step 14. Determine the End Slope Length.
  • Step 15. Overall Mound System Length and Width.
• Distributing Septic Tank Effluent in Mound Systems
• How Should Mound Systems Be Constructed?
• How Are Mound Systems Maintained to Insure Decades of Trouble-Free Operation?
• Mound System Inspection and Maintenance Record (pdf)
• References