What Are Shallow Buried Trench Leaching Beds?

Shallow Buried Trench (SBT) leaching beds are an advanced type of septic system designed to maximize efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. These systems are ideal for sites with limited space, challenging soil conditions, or environmental sensitivity. By utilizing pressurized distribution and shallow placement, they provide an effective solution for wastewater treatment and dispersal.

Key Properties of Shallow Buried Trench Leaching Beds

• Pressurized Distribution: Ensures even dispersal of effluent across the entire bed, preventing localized overloading and enhancing treatment efficiency.
• Time Dosing: Regulates the release of effluent to provide consistent loading over time, optimizing treatment and protecting the soil’s absorption capacity.
• Shallow Placement: Trenches are placed closer to the surface, where oxygen levels are higher, promoting aerobic treatment processes and reducing the risk of groundwater contamination.
• Use of Leaching Bed Fill: While the Ontario Building Code (OBC) does not mandate the use of leaching bed fill for SBT systems, it permits it when the fill meets specific percolation properties. Industry best practices recommend using leaching bed fill with characteristics of 5 ≤ T ≤ 10 to enhance effluent polishing and infiltration performance.
• Compact Design: SBT systems require less space than conventional leaching beds, making them suitable for properties with limited land area.
• Environmentally Friendly: These systems minimize the impact on surrounding ecosystems, making them a sustainable choice for septic solutions.

Installation in Sand or Leaching Bed Fill

Shallow Buried Trench leaching beds can be installed in either soil or leaching bed fill, provided the material meets the OBC’s requirements of 1 < T ≤ 125. For best results, Alpha Ex employs leaching bed fill with a percolation rate of 5 ≤ T ≤ 10. This fill ensures optimal effluent polishing before it enters the underlying soil and promotes lateral movement, enhancing the system’s overall effectiveness.

Unlike other systems that rely on gravity for effluent distribution and require a 15-meter sand mantle downstream, SBT systems utilize pressurized distribution and time dosing. This approach eliminates the need for a sand mantle while ensuring uniform and controlled effluent dispersal across the leaching bed.

Why Choose Alpha Ex for Your SBT System?

At Alpha Ex, we specialize in the design and installation of Shallow Buried Trench leaching beds tailored to your property’s unique needs. With over two decades of expertise in septic system design and installation, our team ensures every system meets local regulations and environmental standards while providing optimal performance.

Our designs exceed the minimum standards outlined in the Ontario Building Code, reflecting our commitment to quality and environmental stewardship. As active contributors to the Part 8 Technical Advisory Committee, we stay at the forefront of advancements in septic system design and regulatory updates.

Examples of our SBT Installations::

Contact Us

Interested in learning more about Shallow Buried Trench leaching beds or scheduling a consultation? Contact Alpha Ex today to discuss your project.