Five advanced nitrogen-reducing onsite wastewater treatment systems have been authorized for residential use under a pilot program established by the Pinelands Commission. These "innovative and alternative" treatment technologies are eligible for approval by Pinelands area health departments pursuant to a DEP generic Treatment Works Approval. Recent testing by the USEPA Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program of one such unit, the Amphidrome (TM) System, produced a median Total Nitrogen removal of 62 percent, median Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) removal of 98 percent and median Total Suspended Solids removal of 98 percent. In a separate, statewide DEP generic Treatment Works Approval, gravel alternative (chamber) effluent dispersal field systems have been approved as a replacement for conventional gravel and perforated lateral effluent dispersal fields. These gravel alternative components have been increasing in popularity statewide due to their relative ease of installation, absence of clogging soil fines that are sometimes present in quarry processed stone filter material, and the elimination of disposal field over-compaction caused by (improper) placement of gravel materials by loaded tandem dump trucks. In the Pinelands, design engineers are frequently incorporating multiple "innovative and alternative" technologies in their designs by combining nitrogen reducing treatment units with gravel free chamber leach fields.

Inspectors from several Pinelands area health departments participated in a field training session to observe the installation of the first Pinelands pilot program alternative design wastewater treatment system on March 11, 2004 in Hamilton Township, Atlantic County. The Amphidrome (TM) sequencing batch reactor treatment tanks are shown in the foreground and a gravel alternative (chamber) effluent dispersal field can be seen in the background.

For questions on the Pinelands pilot program, call Ed Wengrowski, Wastewater Management Coordinator, NJ Pinelands Commission at 609-894-7300 or email at wastewater@njpines.state.nj.us.