Building or renovating your home is exciting. But if your project includes a new septic system, especially in a tight space or tricky soil, you may start to feel overwhelmed.
Enter Ecoflo — the simple choice, especially if you care about sustainability.
Wondering why it’s the best option? The secret is in the way Ecoflo septic systems work. Let's explain by looking at two Ecoflo products, the compact biofilter and linear biofilter. We'll show you their parts, how they treat and disperse your wastewater, and why their designs are a cut above the rest.
Table of contents
How the Ecoflo compact biofilter works
The Ecoflo compact biofilter is Premier Tech Water and Environment's most popular septic system in Canada. It has remained a best-seller since we released it in 1995.
The system can be divided into three main sections: the septic tank, the compact biofilter, and the dispersal area.
Primary treatment in the septic tank
Like conventional septic systems, this installation begins with a septic tank. The tank receives raw wastewater from your home, including sewage and greywater. It separates liquid waste from solid waste.
Effluent dispersal
The Ecoflo compact biofilter can disperse effluent (treated wastewater) in one of two ways: through a septic drain field or into a stream or ditch. Both methods meet certification standards and protect your property and your family from harmful pollutants.
- Septic drain field
On most properties, the Ecoflo compact biofilter sends effluent to a septic drain field (some people call it a leach field or polishing field). When effluent reaches the drain field, it percolates through a bed of imported granular materials and native soil. It then returns to the groundwater below. Sand and gravel are common granular materials, but their use and quantities depend on the regulations in your area.
- Stream or ditch
If your property has rocky, clay, or otherwise impermeable soil, a drain field may not be possible. In that case, the Ecoflo compact biofilter can be combined with a passive disinfection or UV disinfection system. These tertiary treatment systems allow you to safely discharge wastewater into a stream or ditch.
How the Ecoflo linear biofilter works
The Ecoflo linear biofilter is Premier Tech Water and Environment's newest septic system. We released it in Ontario in 2023, and more territories in Canada will follow soon.
This solution can be divided into three main sections: the septic tank, the dosing and distribution system, and the linear biofilter.
Primary treatment in the septic tank
This installation also begins with a septic tank. The tank receives untreated wastewater from the toilets, sinks, showers, and other fixtures in your home.
Your septic tank contains bacteria that break down organic matter. Heavy solids settle on the bottom of the tank and fats and oils float to the top. Only the clarified liquid that forms between these two layers exits the tank.
Dosing and distribution system
Depending on the configuration of your installation, liquid waste from your septic tank flows into one of these devices:
- hydraulic dosing device
- pumping station with a distribution box
- pumping station with a low-pressure distribution system
These devices work a bit differently, but they have a similar purpose. Their job is to evenly distribute doses of wastewater to each section of the linear biofilter.
The Ecoflo linear biofilter is a combined treatment and dispersal system. That means it purifies wastewater and releases it into the environment in the same spot.
The system contains lines of treatment modules with coco filtration pads. The tops of the modules have distribution channels (troughs) with tiny holes. When your dosing system sends wastewater along these channels, it trickles through the holes and falls evenly across the coco filtration pads.
Secondary treatment begins as wastewater percolates through the pads. The coco creates a physical barrier that traps contaminants. Naturally occurring microorganisms then break down pollutants.
From the pads, wastewater flows through a layer of sand. It then disperses into your site’s soil before returning to groundwater.
Other advanced systems filter wastewater through plastics, geotextiles, and other non-renewable materials.
Ecoflo septic systems are more sustainable. They filter your wastewater through all-natural coconut husk fragments that are compostable and 100% renewable.
Compact size
With traditional septic systems, the bulk of treatment happens in the septic drain field. The space required for this job can take up a large portion of your yard.
With an Ecoflo system, all the treatment happens in the biofilter. This reduces the size of your drain field, resulting in a final footprint that is smaller than other systems.
Want to know if Ecoflo is right for you?
Our septic system experts are waiting to hear about your project!
Share your ideas with us and we’ll recommend the best solution for your home, cottage, or business.
