Aerobic Septic Systems & ATUs in Northwest Missouri
Need an aerobic treatment unit for a new or replacement septic system? ATUs provide additional wastewater treatment and are commonly used as part of advanced onsite wastewater systems.
Digger Dave installs aerobic treatment units and complete advanced septic systems throughout Northwest Missouri and the Kansas City area. Already have a design? Send it over. Don’t know what you need yet? Start with the property.
What Is an Aerobic Treatment Unit?
An aerobic treatment unit, commonly called an ATU, is a wastewater treatment system that introduces oxygen into the treatment process.
The added oxygen supports aerobic biological activity that provides additional treatment beyond what occurs in a basic septic tank.
The treated wastewater can then move to the disposal or dispersal portion of the onsite wastewater system specified for the property.
Why Would a Septic System Need an ATU?
An ATU is generally used because the overall septic design calls for a higher level of wastewater treatment before dispersal.
- Difficult soil conditions
- Advanced dispersal systems
- Limited suitable soil depth
- Challenging building sites
- New construction projects
- Replacement septic systems
- Failed existing systems
- Drip dispersal systems
- Site-specific treatment requirements
- Engineered wastewater systems
An ATU is usually one part of a complete onsite wastewater system rather than the entire system by itself.
How Does an Aerobic Septic System Work?
1. Wastewater Enters the Treatment System
Wastewater from the home or building enters the onsite wastewater treatment system.
2. Solids & Wastewater Are Separated
The system provides initial treatment and separation before wastewater moves through the aerobic treatment process.
3. Air Is Added
An aeration component supplies oxygen to support aerobic microorganisms that help treat the wastewater.
4. Wastewater Receives Additional Treatment
The aerobic process provides additional treatment before the effluent leaves the ATU.
5. Treated Effluent Moves to the Dispersal System
Depending on the approved design, treated wastewater may then be delivered to drip, pressure distribution or another approved disposal or dispersal system.
An ATU Is Only Part of the Septic System
This is important because homeowners are sometimes told they need an “aerobic system” and assume the treatment unit is the entire septic system.
The ATU treats the wastewater, but the complete system may also include tanks, pumps, controls, filtration, piping and a designed dispersal area.
For example, an advanced system may combine aerobic treatment with subsurface drip dispersal.
The complete system has to be designed and installed to work together.
Aerobic Treatment With Drip Dispersal
ATUs are commonly used as part of advanced drip septic systems because drip dispersal requires appropriately treated wastewater before it enters the drip field.
A complete drip system can include treatment, aeration, pumping, filtration, controls, supply and return piping, manifolds and subsurface drip tubing.
Digger Dave installs complete advanced systems—not just the tank sitting in the ground.
ATU Systems Use Mechanical & Electrical Components
An aerobic system is more mechanically involved than a basic gravity septic tank and lateral field.
- Aeration equipment
- Treatment components
- Pumps when required by the design
- Float controls
- Alarm system
- Control equipment
- Filtration when required
- Dispersal-system components
Because these components depend on one another, proper installation and access for future service are important parts of the project.
Aerobic Septic Systems for New Construction
If you’re building a home and the soil or system design requires advanced treatment, an ATU may become part of the wastewater system.
That doesn’t mean you need to become an expert in treatment equipment before building your house.
Send Digger Dave the soil report or design and we’ll help move the project toward installation. If you haven’t reached that point yet, start with the property address.
Aerobic Systems for Septic Replacement
An ATU may also be part of a replacement system when an older septic system has failed and the property needs an advanced wastewater solution.
Replacement projects can involve limited usable space, difficult soil and existing improvements that weren’t present when the original system was installed.
The replacement system should be selected around the property as it exists today rather than simply duplicating what was installed decades ago.
Already Have an Engineered ATU System Design?
Send it over.
If your soil evaluation and wastewater design are complete, send Digger Dave the plans, property address and any available permit information.
We’ll review the complete system from the installation side and determine what is needed to get the project priced and built.
Don’t Know What Type of Advanced System You Need?
That’s completely normal.
You may hear terms like ATU, aerobic treatment, drip, LPP, mound or advanced septic and have no idea which one actually applies to your property.
You don’t need to diagnose the property yourself. Send us the address and whatever soil or septic information you already have. We’ll help determine what needs to happen next.
Aerobic Septic System Installation Throughout Northwest Missouri
Digger Dave installs aerobic treatment units and advanced septic systems throughout Northwest Missouri and the Kansas City area, including the Kansas City Northland and communities throughout our broader service area.
If you have plans for an advanced wastewater system, send them over. If you’re still trying to figure out what the property needs, start with the address.
Aerobic Septic System FAQs
What does ATU mean in septic systems?
ATU stands for aerobic treatment unit. It is a wastewater treatment component that introduces oxygen to support aerobic biological treatment.
Is an ATU the same thing as an aerobic septic system?
The terms are often used together, but an ATU is typically the treatment portion of a larger onsite wastewater system. The complete system also needs an appropriate method of wastewater dispersal.
Does an aerobic septic system need electricity?
Yes. Aeration equipment and other mechanical components require electricity. Advanced systems may also use pumps, controls and alarms.
Why is my aerobic septic alarm going off?
An alarm can indicate that the system needs attention. The cause can involve wastewater level, pumping, controls or another system component. Avoid assuming the alarm itself is the problem—the system should be evaluated to determine why it activated.
Can an ATU be used with a drip septic system?
Yes. Aerobic treatment can be incorporated into advanced systems that use subsurface drip dispersal when called for by the approved design.
Do aerobic septic systems require maintenance?
Advanced systems contain mechanical, electrical and treatment components that need to remain operational. Maintenance requirements depend on the specific equipment and system design.
Can Digger Dave install an engineered aerobic septic system?
Yes. If you already have engineered plans, send us the design and property information. If you haven’t reached the design stage yet, contact us and we’ll help get the project moving toward installation.
Need an Aerobic or Advanced Septic System?
Send Digger Dave your soil report, engineered design or property address. We’ll help determine the next step and get your wastewater project moving toward installation.