SEDL / STP / STP1324-EB / STP13805S

Drip Irrigation Onsite Wastewater Systems—Colorado

Church, EO
President, E. O. Church, Inc, Denver, CO

Pages: 8    Published: Jan 1997

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Abstract

For 16 years “drip irrigation” onsite wastewater systems (OWS) have been used in Colorado. Drip irrigation systems were developed as an alternative to sand evapotrans- piration (ET) systems in clay soils with poor percolation characteristics. Drip irrigation OWS have effectively provided a wastewater treatment and dispersal alternative through: (1) realistic definition of subsurface conditions which start with percolation rates greater than 35 minutes per centimeter (MPcm) [90 min. per in. (MPI)], (2) designs based on criteria greater than minimum requirements, (3) willingness of governmental agencies to try new systems, (4) experienced and innovative installers, and (5) proper operation and maintenance of systems.