© Presby Environmental, Inc., Maine Design & Installation Manual, June 2019 Edition -11-
14.16 Two Inch Rule
The outlet of a septic tank or distribution box must
be set at least 2 in. above the highest inlet of the
AES or ES row, with the connecting pipe slope not
less than 1% (approximately 1/8 in. per foot.)
Illustration of 2 in. rule:
14.17 Topographic Position Requirement
The system location must be located in an area that does not concentrate water, both surface and subsurface. If
allowed by state and local authorities, altering the terrain upslope of a system may alleviate this requirement if the
waters are sufficiently altered to redirect flows away from the field.
14.18 Wastewater Strength
Please contact Presby Environmental for design recommendations when dealing with high strength effluent.
High strength wastewater is septic tank effluent quality with combined 30-day average carbonaceous biochemical
oxygen demand (CBOD) and total suspended solids (TSS) in excess of two-hundred and forty (240) mg/L.
14.19 Water Purification Systems
a) Water purification systems and water softeners should
not
discharge into any AES or ES system. This
“backwash” does not require treatment and the additional flow may overload the system.
b) If there is no alternative means of disposing of this backwash other than into the system, then the field will
need to be “oversized.” Calculate the total amount of backwash in GPD, multiply by 3, and add this
amount to the daily design flow when determining the field and septic tank sizing.
c) Water purification systems and water softeners require regular routine maintenance; consult and follow
the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations.
15.0 Basic Serial Distribution (Single Level)
AES or ES rows are connected in series at the ends with raised connections, using offset adapters. Basic Serial
distribution systems are quick to develop a strong biomat in the first row, provide a longer flow route, improved
effluent treatment and ensure air will pass through all the rows. Other criteria:
a) May be used for single beds of 900 GPD or less.
b) Basic Serial distribution incorporates rows in serial distribution in a single bed.
c) Maximum length of any row is 100 ft.
d) Flow Equalizers are not required for Basic Serial systems because they do not divide flow to the bed.
e) For beds sloping over 10%, a System Sand Extension is placed entirely on the downhill side and must be
at least 3 ft.
f) Gravity fed Basic Serial systems do not require the use of a D-box (fed directly from the septic tank).
Illustrations of Basic Serial Systems:
15.1 Non-Conventional Basic Serial Configuration
4" PVC
2" MIN.
D-BOX
LEVEL
MAXIMUM LIQUID LEVEL
HIGHER THAN MAX. LIQUID LEVEL IN PIPE
2" - 4"
INLET
VENT