INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL SPRAY IRRIGATION SYSTEM: INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTIAL SPRAY IRRIGATION SYSTEM by Albert Jarrett, Professor of Agricultural Engineering


The Pennsylvania Protocol: The Pennsylvania Protocol In Chapter 73 (Conventional). In-Ground Systems (Limiting Zone >60 in). Beds. Trenches. Subsurface Sand Filters. Elevated Sand Mounds (Limiting Zone >20 in). Individual Residential Spray Irrigation System Bedrock Limiting Zone > 16 in. Water Table Limiting Zone >10 in.


Soil Conditions:: Soil Conditions: Bedrock Limiting Zone > 16 inches. Water Table Limiting Zone > 10 inches. > 16 inches > 10 inches


IRSIS Overall System(top view): IRSIS Overall System (top view)


IRSIS – Overall System(side view): IRSIS – Overall System (side view) Four Major Components Treatment Tank Filtration Chlorine Disinfection Spray Area


Treatment Processes: Treatment Processes From Home to Treatment Tank. Septic Tank Solids settle Scum floats to surface Two Chamber Septic Tanks required.


Treatment Tank: Treatment Tank Septic Tank Aerobic Tank


Treatment Processes: Treatment Processes From the Treatment Tank to the Filtration Unit. Three types of Filtration Units (or Pre-Treatment) have been approved. Free Access Sand Filter Subsurface Sand Filter Peat Bio-Filter


Free Access Sand Filter (side view): Free Access Sand Filter (side view)


Free Access Sand Filter (top view): Free Access Sand Filter (top view)


Subsurface Sand Filter (partial side view): Subsurface Sand Filter (partial side view)


Subsurface Sand Filter(top view): Subsurface Sand Filter (top view)


Peat Bio-Filter: Peat Bio-Filter


Peat Bio-Filter: Peat Bio-Filter


Treatment Processes: Treatment Processes From the Filtration Unit to the Chlorine Disinfection. Two types of Chlorine Injection Units have been approved: Erosion Tablet Units Hypochlorite Units. These units inject chlorine into the wastewater.


Erosion Chlorine Tablet Units: Erosion Chlorine Tablet Units Advantages No Moving Parts Low Maintenance Less Expensive Disadvantages Difficult to Calibrate. Bridging of Tablets.


Hypochlorite Unit: Hypochlorite Unit Advantages Does not Bridge. Easy to Calibrate. Disadvantages Moving parts. More Expensive. Tubing can clog. High Maintenance.


Treatment Processes: Treatment Processes Following the injection of Chlorine into the wastewater, the wastewater flows into a large storage tank. The storage tank serves two purposes. Opportunity for Chlorine contact. Storage during inclement weather.


Storage Tank and Chlorinator(side view): Storage Tank and Chlorinator (side view)


Storage Tank and Chlorinator(top view): Storage Tank and Chlorinator (top view)


Treatment Processes: Treatment Processes After the chlorine has been injected into the wastewater, the wastewater must set in a container for a period of time. The goal is to provide adequate time for the chlorine to kill any bacteria remaining in the wastewater. Following this contact time, a residual of 0.2 to 2.0 ppm of Cl must remain in the water.


Storage Tank: Storage Tank A portion, usually at least 6 inches depth, of the storage tank is permanent: This depth is never pumped to Ensure Chlorine contact. Protect the pump.


Storage Tank: Storage Tank The depth of water above the permanent depth is to store the daily wastewater flow from the home. This volume is also available for Chlorine contact.


Storage Tank: Storage Tank The depth above the daily flow volume is required to provide several days of storage incase weather conditions are not suitable for irrigating the wastewater on any given day.


Spray Irrigation: Spray Irrigation After midnight, each day, the pump should activate and the daily wastewater volume should be pumped to the spray area. If the weather is inclement, this can be delayed for a day or so.


Spray Irrigation Area: Spray Irrigation Area


Each Sprinkler: Each Sprinkler


IRSIS – For You??: IRSIS – For You?? This overview of the IRSIS On-Lot Sewage System may have raised some questions. If you would like more information about IRSIS, get ABE Fact Sheet F-16? Or Contact your Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO), or Contact your County Agent.


Thank You: Thank You