Several research and evaluation studies were performed on alternative onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems at sites with severe limitations for conventional systems. The soil properties, soil moisture regime, and shallow groundwater table at the research locations were characterized to gain a better understanding of the ability of the soils to treat and dispose of wastewater. Several typical site evaluation techniques were assessed, and because of a seasonally high groundwater table present in the soils of this study, groundwater contamination was investigated.

Caption title. Distributed to depository libraries in microfiche. Not distributed to depository libraries in paper. "May 1987." "EPA/600-S2-86-116."

"Several research and evaluation studies were performed on alternative onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems at sites with severe limitations for conventional systems. The studies included systems that rely on the soil for treatment and disposal (including low-pressures pipe (LPP) systems, alternating soil adsorption field systems, shallow conventional trenches, gravelless trenches, and mound systems) and systems that discharge to surface waters or to the atmosphere (including intermittent sand filters, upflow gravel filters, subsurface gravel beds, and evapotranspiration systems). These studies were performed on full scale operating systems, scaled-down field systems, or laboratory columns. The soil properties, soil moisture regime, and shallow groundwater table at the research locations were characterized to gain a better understanding of the ability of the soils to treat and dispose of wastewater. Several typical site evaluation techniques were assessed, and because of a seasonally high groundwater table present in the soils of this study, groundwater contamination was investigated."