Septic risers: stop digging every time
Plenty of Rogue Valley tanks have lids buried under soil, gravel or landscaping. Every pump-out or inspection then starts with a shovel, which adds time and cost and tears up the yard. A riser is a sealed vertical extension, usually plastic or concrete, that brings tank access up to ground level with a secure lid.
Benefits include faster service, easier sludge and scum measurement (which DEQ's homeowner guide recommends), and less disturbance to your landscaping. Good riser work includes a watertight seal to the tank so groundwater and soil do not leak in, a lid that locks or is screwed down so children and pets cannot open it, and, ideally, risers over each access point the system needs, including any effluent filter. Installing risers is a natural add-on to a scheduled pump-out, since the lids are already exposed.
Alternative treatment technology (ATT) systems
An ATT system adds a treatment step between the septic tank and the drainfield to produce cleaner effluent. Oregon DEQ approves specific ATT products. Packed-bed textile filters such as Orenco's AdvanTex units are one common family; aerobic treatment units are another. They are often used where soils, setbacks or lot size would not allow a conventional system.
What Oregon requires of ATT owners
DEQ's rule on ATT systems (OAR 340-071-0345) requires the owner of an ATT system to maintain a written service contract with a maintenance provider, entered before the system is installed and kept until the system is decommissioned. The maintenance provider must be certified by the manufacturer to service that ATT. DEQ's current operation and maintenance fact sheet says owners of ATT systems, pressurized distribution systems permitted after January 1, 2014, residential sand filters permitted after January 1, 2014, commercial sand filters permitted after March 1, 2005, and recirculating gravel filters must hire a certified maintenance provider to inspect and maintain the system at least annually and keep a contract for routine and unexpected service. For ATT systems, the contract's service details follow the manufacturer's approved maintenance manual.
What maintenance involves
The details depend on the product and its manual, but typical visits include checking the control panel, alarms, pumps and floats, inspecting and cleaning filters and spray or distribution components, checking timer settings, observing effluent clarity and odor, measuring sludge in the tank so pumping can be scheduled, and documenting what was done. Many ATT tanks still need periodic pumping; frequency is set by the manufacturer and actual loading.
Signs your treatment unit needs a service call
- An alarm light or buzzer on the control panel.
- Odors that were not there before.
- Breaker trips on the system circuit.
- Wet spots or effluent near the treatment unit or drainfield.
Do not reset an alarm repeatedly and ignore it. It usually means a high water level or a pump fault, and continuing to use the system can flood components.
Bought a home with an ATT?
Ask the seller for the system's owner's manual (the designer is required to provide one under the ATT rule), the current service contract, and recent service reports. If the contract lapsed during the sale, arrange a new one promptly. Call (541) 326-4526 to ask about riser installs or ATT service contracts.
Product names are trademarks of their owners and are mentioned only to identify system types. Confirm a provider's manufacturer certification for your specific unit.
Pressure distribution and sand filter systems
ATT units are not the only systems with service requirements. DEQ's current operation and maintenance fact sheet also requires certified maintenance and at least annual inspection for pressurized distribution systems and residential sand filters permitted after January 1, 2014, commercial sand filters permitted after March 1, 2005, and recirculating gravel filters. If you are unsure which category your system falls into, check the permit in DEQ's records or read our guide to Oregon septic system types. If an alarm sounds between visits, see what to do when a septic alarm goes off.
Choosing a riser and lid
Risers are sold as kits in several diameters and heights, with extension rings to reach deeper tanks. A good installation seals to the tank top so groundwater and soil cannot enter, uses a lid rated for the location, and secures it with screws or a lock so children cannot open it. Lids should sit at or slightly above grade so they stay visible but do not catch a mower.
What an AdvanTex maintenance visit covers
The owner's manual for an Orenco AdvanTex system sets out routine checks, and Oregon rules require that ATT maintenance be done by a provider certified by the manufacturer. A visit commonly includes checking the control panel and alarms, inspecting the pump and floats, looking at the filter media and recirculation, and noting effluent clarity, then reporting to DEQ as the contract requires.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to add septic risers?
Adding risers to an existing tank is generally treated as maintenance, but confirm with DEQ's Medford office if any other change is involved.
How often does an AdvanTex system need service?
DEQ requires ATT systems to have a service contract and be inspected at least once a year by a certified provider.
Are septic risers worth it?
For most homes yes: they cut digging time at every pump-out and inspection and make it easier to keep to a schedule.