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Aerobic vs. Conventional Septic: Which Do You Need?

Short answer

A conventional gravity system is simpler and cheaper and works where soil drains well with room for a standard drainfield. An aerobic treatment unit (ATU) treats wastewater more thoroughly and is required on tighter soils or smaller lots — it costs more but fits where conventional won't.

Conventional gravity systems

Wastewater settles in the tank and flows by gravity into a drainfield, where it filters through the soil. It's the lowest-cost option, ideal where soil percolates well and there's space for a full-size field.

Aerobic treatment systems (ATU)

An ATU aerates and treats wastewater to a clear, odorless effluent — tested to NSF Standard 40 — before dispersing it by spray or drip. It works on smaller lots and tighter, slower-draining soils a conventional field can't handle.

Which one you'll need

Your soil and perc test decide. We run the evaluation and recommend the right system for your land — and handle the permitting either way.

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