Subsurface wastewater infiltration system

Abstract

A subsurface wastewater infiltration system including a subsurface dripline enclosed within a porous medium or chamber providing storage volume around the dripline. The porous medium or chamber may be covered with a geotextile or filter material and sealed at dripline inlet and outlet to prevent soil intrusion. The chamber illustratively contains access openings to the ground surface allowing inspection and maintenance of the disposal system without excavation. The access openings provide air recirculation within the disposal system for proper operation and treatment of the effluent.

1 . A subsurface wastewater infiltration system comprising: 
 a dripline installed in a trench below a surface of the soil, the dripline being coupled to a wastewater supply and including a plurality of openings to permit wastewater to pass therethrough;    a porous medium located in the trench below the dripline;    first and second barriers located at opposite ends of the medium to allow the dripline to pass therethrough but to prevent soil intrusion into the medium;    at least one access opening in communication with an area adjacent the medium, the at least one access opening including a pipe extending to the surface of the soil; and    a removable cover coupled to the access opening.    
     
     
         2 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the medium surrounds the dripline.  
     
     
         3 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the medium is covered with a geotextile material to prevent soil intrusion into medium.  
     
     
         4 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the medium is covered with a filter material to prevent soil intrusion into medium.  
     
     
         5 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cover is air permeable to allow air recirculation between the atmosphere and the medium through the pipe.  
     
     
         6 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein interstitial spaces between particles of the porous medium provide a volume for storage of wastewater.  
     
     
         7 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein interstitial spaces between medium particles allow free recirculation of air to an infiltrative surface of the soil.  
     
     
         8 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the medium provides uniform distribution of the wastewater throughout the trench and into an infiltrative soil surface.  
     
     
         9 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one access opening allows inspection, removal and replacement of the dripline without excavation of the trench.  
     
     
         10 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the medium is one of sand, gravel, stone and crushed rock.  
     
     
         11 . A subsurface wastewater infiltration system comprising: 
 a dripline installed in a trench below a surface of the soil, the dripline being coupled to a wastewater supply and including a plurality of openings to permit wastewater to pass therethrough;    a structure located in the trench and configured to define an open area enclosing the dripline;    first and second barriers located at opposite ends of the structure to allow the dripline to pass therethrough, but to prevent soil intrusion into the structure;    at least one access opening in communication with the structure, the at least one access openings including a pipe extending to the surface of the soil; and    a removable cover coupled to the access opening.    
     
     
         12 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the open area within the structure provides a volume for storage of wastewater.  
     
     
         13 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the structure open area allows free recirculation of air to an infiltrative surface of the soil through the pipe.  
     
     
         14 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the open area provides uniform distribution of the effluent throughout the trench and into an infiltrative soil surface.  
     
     
         15 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one access opening allows inspection, removal and replacement of the dripline without excavation of the trench.  
     
     
         16 . The subsurface wastewater infiltration system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the structure is formed by one of a perforated pipe, a half-pipe and a chamber.  
     
     
         17 . A method of subsurface wastewater infiltration comprising: 
 forming a trench in the soil;    installing a dripline in the trench below a surface of the soil, the dripline including a plurality of openings to permit wastewater to pass therethrough;    coupling the dripline to a wastewater supply;    providing one of an open area and a porous medium in the trench surrounding the dripline;    providing at least one access opening in communication with the open area or medium, the at least one access opening including a pipe extending to the surface of the soil;    refilling the trench with soil; and    coupled a cover to the pipe to cover the access opening.    
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising covering the medium or open area with a material to prevent soil intrusion into medium or open area.  
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the cover is air permeable to allow air recirculation between the atmosphere and the open area or medium through the pipe.  
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising providing first and second barriers located at opposite ends of the open area or medium to allow the dripline to pass therethrough, but to prevent soil intrusion into the open area or medium.