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When and Why to Replace a Standard System with an Aerobic System

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If you live in San Antonio or the Hill Country area and find yourself in need of a new septic system, chances are you may have to install an aerobic system. Septic system technology has advanced dramatically over the last 30 years. Many technological advancements have  come about from studying septic systems in various soil types and various environmental risks.

For the first 50 years of Van Delden’s operation (beginning in 1937), standard septic systems were the only septic system available and installed. A long time ago, we blasted out the all the rock in our Texas soil to install septic systems. As machinery developed, we began rock hammering. Studies eventually discovered that rock does not treat wastewater as well as soil. The effluent moves through rock quickly without benefiting from treatment that occurs in the microbes of soil, receiving much less treatment before entering the groundwater supply. In 1997, the state of Texas began requiring aerobic systems on property with heavy rock.

This picture shows a system we installed in 1996, just before regulation changes in 1997. If this system failed today, regulations would not allow another standard system to be installed due to the large amount of rock on the property. If you’re unsure which septic system best suits your home, check out the below video.

If you find yourself in need of a new system, give us a call for a free phone consultation. No one installs a more efficient aerobic system. Van Delden was the first to install an aerobic system with spray distribution in Bexar County in 1990, and our commitment to using the best quality products had led to installing, servicing, and maintaining only the Clearstream aerobic system.


For 86+ years, Van Delden Wastewater Systems has withstood the test of time as the leading Wastewater System company, providing San Antonio, Boerne, and the surrounding Texas Hill Country with services you can count on now and in the future. 

Call us for any of your wastewater systems needs and let our professionals help you with your septic installation and maintenance requirements: 210.698.2000 (San Antonio) or 830.249.4000 (Boerne).


2 thoughts on “When and Why to Replace a Standard System with an Aerobic System

  1. my soil her in richmond, tx is very much clay-my system is recently backing up thru the washing machine drain. Only grey water but it is a big problem. I must admit being a city boy i did not respect the septic syst as much as i have should have as we did use disposal with various clippings from fruit to veggies.

    i have an appt for Roto Rotor to come next week to snake the line between house and tank and i hope that fixed this but if not can you suggest a remedy ? As you know i am unable to have the syst repaired and i do not want to spend a fortune replacing it. I fear we have dumped grease, bleach–and all other sorts of No No’s. We have all the tanks cleaned last week and with 8 hours the problem was back-grey water in house. No as bad but it come after Mom washes all the dishes and turns on the dishwasher or washer. Any advice ??

    • I’m sorry you are having so much trouble and backup in your house! That’s not fun for anyone. Hopefully, Roto Rooter will find a clog between the house and the tank which could cause your issue. If no blockage is found, and you’ve already tried pumping the tanks, then the permanent solution may be replacing the system. Clay soil accepts water at a slower rate, so it may be due to the soil, the age of the system, hydraulically overloading the system, etc. How old is your system?

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