Click here for the Septic Tank Treatment System (SepTTS) program.

Click here to view the user manual in PDF format.

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Overview

SDA is proud to make available to environmental professionals an online copy of the Septic Tank Treatment System (SepTTS) computer program and user manual. This computer program was referenced in the article "Modeling the Fate and Transport of Household Chemicals in Septic Systems." ¹

The SepTSS model is the result of extensive research by The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA). SDA is a non-profit trade association representing more than 100 companies. The member companies of SDA formulate household, institutional and industrial cleaning products and supply the ingredients and finished packaging used to bring these products to the marketplace. SDA member companies manufacture over 90% of the cleaning products sold in the United States. This model was developed as a screening level tool for assessing the fate and transport of household chemicals in septic systems. Because the model is simple and easy to use, it is possible that the model could be misused and its results misinterpreted. In particular, this model has only been calibrated for detergent builders and validated on surfactants. ² While there is no reason to suggest that this model would not give suitable predictions for other classes of compounds, they have not been tested to date. As with any model, this model should be used with caution.

We hope that you find the computer program useful and instructive. Please do not hesitate to send us your comments on the computer program at info@cleaning101.com.

1. Lee S, McAvoy DC, Szydlik J, Schnoor JL. 1998. Modeling the fate and transport of household chemicals in septic systems. Ground Water 36:123-132.

2. McAvoy DC, DeCarvalho AJ, Nielsen AM, Cano ML. 2002. Investigation of an onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) in sandy soil: Modeling the fate of surfactants. Environ Toxicol Chem, in press.

The following three research papers can be ordered online from the website of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry, at http://www.cleaning101.com/about/TechOrderForm.cfm.

Investigation of an Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) in Sandy Soil: Part 1: Site Characterization and Fate of Anionic and Nonionic Surfactants
(Env. Tox. & Chem., 21(12): 2606-2616, 2002)
Describes research indicating that commonly used surfactants linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), alcohol ethoxylate (AE), and alcohol ether sulfate (AES) are readily removed via biodegradation in septic system or sorption onto soils, even under worst-case conditions.