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The commercial process is vastly different.
In the State of Texas, there is a "trigger point" in the permit process, as to how a permit is obtained for a wastewater system, be it on onsite system, or central collection system.
If your flows exceed a certain average daily flow limit, you must obtain a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. This process can be quite time consuming.
If your flows fall below this limit (currently 5,000 gpd), you can often (but not always) obtain a permit from your local Regulatory Authority.
It is important to understand that your effluent "strength" may also require you to design and construct a "commercial" system. Any sewage beyond a biochemical oxygen demand of 140 mg/L BOD is considered "high strength", or with other unusual components (such as fats, oils, greases, or unusually high suspended solids). This can actually happen in a residence, too.
With onsite commercial systems it is vitally important to not only address the hydraulic loading of the system (how many gallons per day/week/month/year and any unusual "peak" events), but more importantly the biological loading, in terms of the waste stream being put "down the drain". Different types of commercial establishments generate vastly different sewage strengths, and we will help you identify the proper design for your site.
You may be told that there are "charts" from which a cookbook design may be done. This is not true. Each commercial design needs to be site specific, and designed with the specific operating conditions of the site, the ability of the soils on the site to process the mass-loading of the effluent, and the intended use of the system carefully considered. Lack of proper planning and operation often results in costly system failure. If you find someone with an inexpensive "cookbook" design, please be aware that even if you get a permit from your local agency, the issuance of a permit does not guarantee the system will work. The Permit Authority relies upon the designer to properly design the system, and current State Codes are design minimums, only.
Additionally, please note that the use of pre-existing small scale aerobic treatment units, that carry a NSF Class I rating, and on a State-approved list, are for Residential Use ONLY. While they may be used in commercial systems, State Law requires you use the services of a Registered Professional Engineer to design such systems, as you are modifying the use for which these units were originally intended.
Our firm has diverse experience in all sizes of systems. We have been involved with phased systems that exceed several hundred thousand gallons per day.
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