Are there green alternatives to sand mound septic systems?

Sand has long been a staple in the on-site wastewater treatment industry. Whether for sand mounds or sand filters, it is an integral part of many conventional septic tank systems.

In the United States, tens of millions of tons of sand are extracted and used for on-site treatment each year. Demand is especially high in states like Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where soil conditions and high water tables make sand mounds a popular choice in rural areas.

The need is mirrored across countless industries. We use sand to make concrete and glass. It is a key part of the chips in our mobile phones and computers. It is even in the toothpaste we use morning and night.

In fact, sand is such an indelible part of our lives that it is second only to water as the most consumed natural resource on the planet.

But there is a big problem with sand. It is no longer sustainable.

The environmental cost of sand

More than a third of the Earth’s land surface is covered in desert. States like Arizona, California, and Texas have wide expanses of dunes. It seems crazy to call sand an unsustainable resource. But a closer look tells a different story.

Desert sand is too fine and smooth for most industrial and construction purposes. Instead, the best sand for our needs comes from lakes, seashores, riverbeds, riverbanks, and floodplains. The number of these deposits is limited, and our reserves are shrinking fast.

Extraction rates now outpace natural replenishment rates. As high-quality sand becomes increasingly scarce and expensive, the environmental impact of sand mining is clear:

inland and coastal erosion
more frequent and intense flooding
watershed and marine current changes
lower water tables with greater concentrations of pollutants
poor air quality and noise pollution near extraction sites

Sustainable alternatives to sand-based septic systems

The time has come to rethink how and where we use septic sand. For rural homes and cottages, that means choosing an alternative septic system that uses little to no sand for treatment or final dispersal.

Take our Ecoflo compact biofilter, for example. It is an aerobic treatment system that filters wastewater through a 100% natural, compostable, and renewable coco filter. Sand is used only in the final dispersal area, and only when local regulations require it.

The beauty of the Ecoflo compact biofilter is that it is a permanent solution. When its filtering medium no longer treats wastewater effectively, usually after 10 to 15 years of use, we renew it without ever having to relocate the system or damage your landscaping.

Our solution is a stark contrast to conventional systems requiring sand mounds or sand filters. As these traditional systems treat wastewater, they accumulate sludge that leads to progressive system failure. They eventually clog, and when they do, the entire system must be dug up and replaced.

Ecoflo biofilter septic system installed on a rural property with trees and green grass.

What else makes Ecoflo the greenest alternative?

The Ecoflo compact biofilter is the most sustainable septic system available, and not just because it allows property owners and industry professionals to make intelligent use of our planet’s limited sand resources.

With its all-natural coco filter and energy-free treatment process, our green septic system has the lowest carbon footprint in the industry. From production and shipping to installation, maintenance, and usage, no other product can compare.

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.

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