Questions concerning your Ecoflo septic system?

When it is not possible to hook up a (principal or secondary) residence to a municipality's conventional wastewater system, the owner must equip his residence with a septic installation to treat his wastewater. This consists of treating the wastewater resulting from human water uses within the residence (washing, toilets, showers, etc.) to make it safe for public health and the environment before releasing it.

In short, there are four levels of "onsite" (i.e., not hooked up to the municipal sewer system) treatment: primary (septic tank), secondary (conventional settling tank, AKA disposal field), advanced secondary (Ecoflo Biofilter, aerated bioreactor, sand filter) and tertiary (disinfection or phosphorous removal unit or system). The method used depends on the ground conditions around it (surface area, topography, nature, permeability and depth of the natural soil) and sensitive areas surrounding the residence. In all cases, when wastewater is treated, the use of a septic tank for primary treatment purposes is mandatory.

Link to History of Wastewater Treatment section

The principle is simple. The Ecoflo is a passive system (requires no energy) that uses a filtering media made of natural organic matter to treat wastewater. This patented biofilter acts as a physical barrier that retains pollutants. The treatment requires no electricity and the owner has nothing specific to do to operate or maintain the system, other than complying with the specifics of a biological system like the Ecoflo and its installation design criteria (e.g., flows).

Operating principle

This diagram of an Ecoflo demonstrates the biological filtration principle: proper dosage and flow of water to be treated, aeration and stable environment to stimulate biological activity in the filter.

The wastewater arriving from the septic tank is directed to the Ecoflo Biofilter, where it flows into a tipping bucket that alternately pours it on distribution plates located on either side of a central support.

This distribution system requires no energy to operate and ensures an equal distribution of the wastewater over the entire surface of the filtering media. Next, the water trickles down through the Ecoflo Biofilter. The water thus treated is finally released into the environment, either after having passed through a polishing field located directly under or next to the Ecoflo or directly into a waterway (where conditions permit).

All of the treated water that infiltrates into the soil will eventually end up in a waterway and standards respecting environmental releases of effluents are very strict. If the water released into the environment does not meet the mandatory standards, a disinfection (to eliminate fecal coliforms) or phosphorous removal (to eliminate phosphorous) tertiary treatment will need to be added to the treatment process (septic tank + secondary or advanced secondary treatment system), as required by the applicable regulations.

Although modern lifestyles have an important impact on the wastewater produced by a residence (periods of absence, vacations, shared custody, etc.), the operating principle of an Ecoflo Biofilter ensures a trouble-free use of the system—on a constant or intermittent basis. The extent to which the owners use the system therefore requires no specific precaution and has no impact whatsoever on the efficiency of the treatment.

The model and number of Ecoflo Biofilters required are determined according to the number of bedrooms in the residence or the total daily volume of domestic wastewater produced by any other type of building. The model is chosen according to the surface area, landscape and nature, permeability and depth of the natural soil on site.

How Ecoflo works

The Ecoflo Biofilter is considered an advanced secondary (high performance) wastewater treatment system.

Primary treatment – septic tank

The septic tank represents the primary treatment system. It operates as a miniature settling facility and collects all of the wastewater, holds it and separates the solids from the liquid. The organic matter begins to decompose in the septic tank. All wastewater treatment systems must be equipped with a septic tank to protect the disposal field or advanced secondary and tertiary treatments.

Advanced secondary treatment – Ecoflo Biofilter

Once the primary treatment has been completed in the septic tank, the wastewater is directed to the Ecoflo Biofilter, where it flows into a tipping bucket that alternately pours it onto distribution plates located on either side of a central support. The wastewater then trickles down through the organic filtering media made of natural fibres. The water thus treated is finally released into the environment, either after having passed through a polishing field located directly under or next to the Ecoflo or directly into a waterway (where conditions permit).

Tertiary treatment – if required

When required by the regulations, the Ecoflo Biofilter can be combined to PTA's FDi Disinfection Filter or Self-Cleaning DiUV ultraviolet Disinfection Unit to reduce the concentration of pathogenic organisms released into the environment.

Tertiary treatment (disinfection and phosphorous removal) is used when the standards respecting the environmental release of effluents are so rigorous (near sensitive areas) that the concentration of pathogenic organisms released into the environment (fecal coliforms, phosphorous) must be minimized.

Since the introduction of Ecoflo in 1995, Premier Tech Aqua (PTA) has been committed to helping homeowners protect their investment in a wastewater treatment solution. A well-maintained onsite septic installation is the best way to protect the performances of your system, the environment and the value of your property for years to come. An annual maintenance also ensures that your system continues to respect the regulation to which all onsite wastewater treatment systems are subjected to and that its warranty remains valid.

Our dedication to our client’s satisfaction has led us to develop the most unique and comprehensive annual maintenance and after-sales service program in the industry: the Premier Tech Aqua Annual Maintenance Program.

Performed every year between the months of April and November by a vast network of service partners trained by Premier Tech Aqua, our annual preventive follow-up program includes a 15-point yearly maintenance of the internal components and filtering media of your system as well as a filter maintenance, as required by the regulation. Performed by local providers at a reasonable cost to our customers, adhering to the PTA Maintenance Program offers you unparalleled technical support and true peace of mind.

The first annual visit of your system is included in the purchase price of your Ecoflo (except in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec). To register, simply complete the Registration Form included in your Owner’s Manual (use the self-addressed envelope to send a copy to Premier Tech Aqua, send another copy to your municipality and keep one in your files). Make sure your installer gives you this important document and please take a moment to read it carefully as it contains instructions about the proper use of your Biofilter, including many tips on how to extend the life of the filtering media.

When your first maintenance contract expires – one year after the installation date of your Ecoflo – you will receive a letter from Premier Tech Aqua to remind you to renew your annual service contract.

Every year, Premier Tech Aqua will make sure your system is properly maintained and continues to offer optimal and long-term treatment performances expected from a high-quality product.

If you sell your property, simply complete and send the Change of Owner form inside the Owner’s Manual to Premier Tech Aqua let us know.

Premier Tech Aqua Maintenance Program for Ecoflo Biofilter installations incorporating tertiary treatment technologies (disinfection or phosphorus removal)

Certain local authorities must enforce stricter effluent norms to protect sensitive environments such as lakes facing blue-green algae proliferation. These homeowners are required to add a tertiary treatment disinfection system (PTA’s DiUV Self-Cleaning Unit), with phosphorus removal (PTA’s DpEC Self-Cleaning Phosphorus Removal Unit) or both to their secondary advanced septic system, such as an Ecoflo Biofilter.

Six months after the installation of this type of septic installation, at least once per period of 6 months, a sample of the effluent of the system must be taken by a service partner from Premier Tech Aqua taken and sent to an independent laboratory for analysis to establish the concentration of fecal coliforms and/or total phosphorus in the treated water. As samplings must be performed when the ground is not frozen, they are usually taken by the service partner between April 1st and June 30th and July 1st and November 30th. The samplings are included in the price of the annual service contract of the homeowner, and the reports will be sent to the address listed as the mailing address in the customer file. Within 30 days of the receipt of the results, the homeowner must send the documents to the municipality where the system is installed. These reports must be kept for a minimum of 5 years and be provided upon request.

The first sample must be taken 6 months after the septic system has been installed, as many septic systems are being installed in late fall, service technicians will take the sample in the following spring or as soon as the ground has thawed or the weather permits it.

Samplings of Ecoflo Biofilter septic installations incorporating a FDi Disinfection Filter

An Ecoflo Biofilter can also be followed by a FDi Disinfection Filter by Premier Tech Aqua for tertiary treatment. The sampling and maintenance schedules for these types of installations are the same as an Ecoflo with a DiUV Self-Cleaning Unit or a DpEC Self-Cleaning Phosphorus Removal Unit (annual maintenance and samplings at least once per period of 6 months), but samplings and their costs are not included in the maintenance visit performed by the Premier Tech Aqua service partner. However, Premier Tech Aqua provides a list of trusted wastewater treatment technicians who offer sampling and analysis services with every annual letter reminding homeowners to renew their annual maintenance contract.

Maintaining your system will ensure its proper operation and protect your investment in your property. A properly installed system and scheduled annual maintenance visits will ensure the efficient operation of your wastewater treatment system for many years. Therefore, all systems, including your Ecoflo Biofilter, must be inspected and maintained on an annual basis to verify that it is operating properly. Annual maintenance visits are an essential warranty condition for most manufacturers.

Please consult your local municipality for information on the applicable regulations respecting wastewater treatment systems and/or your obligations with respect to your Ecoflo system.

Also consult the Ecoflo Biofilter owner's manual for further information.

Your obligations as a property owner:

In Quebec, the private treatment of wastewater produced by isolated dwellings is regulated by the Regulation respecting waste water disposal systems for isolated dwellings (Q-2, r.22). As stipulated in Sections 3.3 (Maintenance contract) and 87.10 (Installation, use and maintenance): "The owner of a treatment system referred to in section 11.1, 16.1, 87.7 or 87.13 must have a binding contract with the system manufacturer, the manufacturer's representative or a qualified third person in which it is stipulated that minimum annual maintenance will be performed on the system." It is also stipulated that "The owner of the system must deposit a copy of the contract with the local municipality in which the isolated dwelling or the other building served by the treatment system is situated" and "Every advanced secondary treatment system must be installed, used and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's manuals."

Therefore, if you reside in Quebec, you must:

• Have an ongoing binding contract with the manufacturer of your system in which it is stipulated that minimal annual maintenance will be performed on the system;
• Send a copy of the contract to your municipality;
• Follow the recommendations provided in the Ecoflo Biofilter owner's manual that was provided to you when you purchased the system.

If you own a tertiary treatment system with disinfection (FDi filter or self-cleaning DiUV treatment unit) or with phosphorus removal (self-cleaning DpEC treatment unit), you must—at least once every 6 months—have a sample of your system's effluent analyzed to determine the concentration of fecal coliforms.

Consult the Regulation respecting wastewater disposal systems for isolated dwellings (Q-2, r.22)

Consult the Ecoflo Biofilter owner's manual

Consult the Owner's manual of the tertiary treatment system (FDi Disinfection Filter)

Consult the Owner's manual of the tertiary treatment system (Self-Cleaning DiUV Disinfection Unit)

Consult the Owner's manual of the tertiary treatment system (Self-Cleaning DpEC Phosphorus Removal Unit)

According to the existing Ontario Building Code (Section 8.9.2.3 (2)), you are responsible for the annual maintenance of your septic system. Keeping your system in proper working order ensures that it functions properly and protects your investment, that is, your property. According to the OBC "No person shall operate a treatment unit other than a septic tank unless the person has entered into an agreement whereby servicing and maintenance of the treatment unit and its related components will be carried out by a person who is authorized by the manufacturer to service and maintain that type of treatment unit."

If you live in Ontario, as a homeowner, you must:

• Be bound to your system's manufacturer or an authorized person at all times, under an agreement stipulating that a minimal annual maintenance of the system will be performed.
• Provide a copy of your Maintenance Agreement to your municipality.
• Carefully follow the recommendations contained in the Ecoflo Biofilter owner's manual provided when you purchased the system.

If you own a tertiary treatment system with disinfection (FDi Disinfection Filter or Self-Cleaning DiUV Disinfection Unit), you must have an effluent sample from the system collected and analyzed at least once every period of six months to measure the concentration of fecal coliforms.

Consult the Ontario Building Code (Section 8.9.2.3 (2))

Consult the Ecoflo Biofilter owner's manual

Consult the Owner's manual of the tertiary treatment system (FDi Disinfection Filter)

Consult the Owner's manual of the tertiary treatment system (Self-Cleaning DiUV Disinfection Unit)

Premier Tech Aqua has developed a unique network of local partners comprised of wastewater treatment professionals that have all been trained by PTA. On a yearly basis, these service partners inspect each installed Ecoflo. To date, more than 300,000 annual visits have been carried out and close to 8,500 filtering media have been replaced. With PTA's network of local partners, you benefit from unparalleled technical support and true peace of mind.

The annual maintenance is important to ensure the proper operation of all secondary, advanced secondary and tertiary treatment systems. The same is true of your Ecoflo Biofilter. Also, the annual maintenance is a condition to ensure the warranty is in effect. That is why all septic systems, including your Ecoflo Biofilter, must be inspected annually, for the duration of its lifespan.

This 15-point maintenance covers the Ecoflo's filtering media and internal components among others. Seeing as the maintenance is carried out through the Ecoflo's lid, it is important to ensure access to the lid at all times. Make sure no landscaping or construction (shed, pool) restricts the access to your Ecoflo's filtering media.

The annual visit explained

Here is the 15-step process that the professional follows during the annual maintenance of your Ecoflo:

Open the lid

1. Verify the serial number under the lid to make sure that the proper system is being inspected
2. Verify that the tipping bucket is not blocked
3. Scarify 15 cm (6") over the entire surface of the filtering media
4. Scrape to level out the surface
5. Inspect and verify the proper operation of the distribution system (tipping bucket and distribution plates)
6. Assess the filtering media
7. Verify all of the Ecoflo Biofilter's inner surfaces
8. Take pictures of the filtering media and treated water discharge area
9. Reinstall the internal components
10. Verify the proper discharge of the treated water (Ecoflo with bottom)
11. Close the lid and install the safety ties
12. Write down the maintenance date and partner's name on the ties
13. Carry out a 30-point verification of the Ecoflo Biofilter (questionnaire filled out by the service partner)
14. Send the reports to Premier Tech Aqua where the results are analyzed by PTA's wastewater treatment specialists
15. Data archived by PTA

After each annual visit, an indication that we have passed is left on your door. We recommend you keep it with the owner's manual of your Ecoflo system.

View the video of an annual maintenance of an Ecoflo system

Each professional who is authorized to inspect your Ecoflo installation is part of PTA's local partner network. Our partners have been fully and adequately trained on our products and services. Our service partners have each received up-to-date training that certifies that they master strict Ecoflo system maintenance procedures. Our professionals use Premier Tech Aqua's software and data collection tools to ensure that the data collected on your system year after year are adequately entered in your Ecoflo file with PTA. These files are securely archived for the entire useful life of the system, even if the residence changes owners. It is also essential to have the system inspected annually by a professional belonging to PTA's local partner network to maintain the manufacturer's performance warranty in effect.

There are also potential health risks associated with the system, which contains bacteria and microorganisms that can cause diseases or infections. It is therefore recommended to entrust the maintenance of your Ecoflo to Premier Tech Aqua's qualified professionals.

You will thus be assured that your Ecoflo system will operate as it was designed to do.

Please contact us at 1 800 632-6356 or pta-maintenance@premiertech.com to know the company who offers the maintenance service in your area.

The annual maintenance is carried out by members of Premier Tech Aqua's local partner network between the months of April and November (months may vary depending on location, please check with your local service partner).

Please contact us at 1 800 632-6356 or pta-maintenance@premiertech.com to know the company who offers the maintenance service in your area.

Your presence is not required. However, the lid of your Ecoflo system must remain accessible and free of any obstacles at all times to enable the partner to carry out the maintenance.

Each annual maintenance of an Ecoflo system is documented in our database. Also, after each annual visit, the service partner leaves an indication that we have passed on your door. We recommend you keep this document in your records. If the service partner did not leave an indication, contact our client service department at 1 800 632-6356 before the end of the season (November of each year) to make sure that the annual maintenance of your Ecoflo was indeed carried out.

Yes. After receiving the data collected on your site by our service partner, Premier Tech Aqua can provide you every year with the complete maintenance report of your Ecoflo biofilter. Simply contact our Customer Service Department and give us your email address. The report will be automatically sent to you by email after each maintenance visit.

The septic tank is not part of the Ecoflo septic system. This tank is installed ahead of the Ecoflo secondary or advanced secondary treatment system. The tank collects the wastewater and separates the solids from the liquids to begin decomposing the organic matter discharged from the residence. It ensures the primary treatment.

Therefore, the pumping of your septic tank is not included in the Ecoflo annual maintenance contract. However, if the tank is not emptied or not adequately emptied, this will hinder the septic installation and the performance of your Ecoflo system. By having your septic tank adequately emptied, your entire wastewater treatment system – including the Ecoflo – will be protected.

Please consult your local municipality for information on the applicable septic tank pumping regulation.

Members of PTA's local partner network can also provide septic tank pumping services. We recommend that you contact a PTA service partner in your area. Our partners are able to provide you with the appropriate services that are adapted to your Ecoflo system.

Please contact us at 1 800 632-6356 or pta-maintenance@premiertech.com to know the company who offers the maintenance service in your area.

Premier Tech Aqua developed its network of local partners to inspect and replace Ecoflo filtering media. On a yearly basis, these service partners inspect each installed Ecoflo. To date, more than 300,000 annual visits have been carried out and close to 8,500 filtering media have been replaced. With PTA's network of local partners, you benefit from unparalleled technical support and true peace of mind.

Please contact us at 1 800 632-6356 or pta-maintenance@premiertech.com to know the company who offers the maintenance service in your area.

The filtering media has a determined lifespan (up to 15 years). When the filtering media is nearing the end of its useful life, our biofiltration experts will carry out a thorough analysis to assess whether the filtering media can be prolonged for another year et needs to be replaced. If fact, 75% of filtering media are prolonged beyond their initial warranty period. This decision is made based on the information gathered over the years during the annual visits. The filtering media of your Ecoflo Biofilter must however be replaced before it becomes susceptible of hindering the system's performance and polluting the environment.

At the end of the additional year of use of the Ecoflo Biofilter, an maintenance will be carried out to enable PTA's specialists to analyze the system data before determining whether or not the biofilter can be used for an additional year. The decision on whether to replace the filtering media or not is thus made on a year-by-year basis.

For 20 years, 100,000 Ecoflo septic systems have been installed around the world. After almost two full product lifecycles, PTA can claim with confidence that close to 75% of filtering media studies indicate that their useful life may be extended by an additional year. If used adequately by their owners, certain systems can even last up to 15 years.

View the Filtering Media Replacement video

The Ecoflo Biofilter is designed to treat domestic wastewater (wastewater from a residence and not a commercial building). If the Ecoflo Biofilter is operated normally and according to the instructions of the manufacturer, it is possible that the filtering media may not need to be replaced once its warranty has expired and that it is extended for another year. In fact, 75% of filters are extended beyond their initial warranty period.

The visit and maintenance program carried out by PTA's local service partners is also your assurance that the system's components continue to operate properly (adequate distribution of wastewater and adequate aeration of filtering media surface). Complying with this program is therefore another excellent way to ensure the long-term performance of your Ecoflo system.

Normal use of cleaning products will not damage your septic installation. However, never dump chemicals such as paints and solvents into your residence's wastewater drainage system. These chemicals will kill the necessary bacteria to treat the wastewater.

By following the operating instructions below, you will be contributing to maintaining the warranty of your Ecoflo septic installation and its proper operation for years to come.

NEVER dump the following products down any septic system or toilets:

• Water softener (must be connected independently from the septic installation because of the backwashes that are carried out during the night)
• Electrical grinder
• Waxes and resins
• Spa or pool (interior or exterior) water or backwash water
• Wastewater from a recreational vehicle (tent trailer, house trailer, etc.)
• Oils and greases (engine, cooking, etc.)
• Paints and solvents
• Pesticides (all types)
• All petroleum products
• All toxic products
• All septic tank additives
• Any substances which do not easily biodegrade (e.g., coffee grains, cigarette butts, sanitary pads, tampons, condoms, cotton swabs, etc.)

Additional instructions:

• NEVER use an automatic cleaner or disinfecting pellets in the toilet bowls.
• AVOID excessive flows (submersible pump in the basement, etc.).
• AVOID shock treatments.
• NEVER open the lid or enter the septic tank or Ecoflo Biofilter.
• Ensure access to the lids of your septic installation at all times. NEVER cover them with mulch, soil or a fixed structure.
• Once your septic installation has been completed, the covers must be 50 mm (2") higher than the surface of the landscaped terrain.
• NEVER install extensions on the bottomless polyethylene or fiberglass Ecoflo Biofilter accesses.
• A single 20 cm (8") extension is allowed on the concrete or fiberglass (with bottom) Ecoflo Biofilter. Use only the extension provided by PTA (no handmade extension may be used). In the case of the fibreglass Ecoflo Biofilter with bottom, it is also necessary to use the four (4) polystyrene foams provided by PTA.
• NEVER plant a tree at less than 60 m (20') from the lid of the Ecoflo Biofilter or at less than 2 m (6' 6") from the infiltration area.
• NEVER connect a drainage line, gutter spout, sump pump or air conditioner drain to your septic installation.
• NEVER accumulate material that could represent an excessive load (e.g., compacted snow) on top of your septic installation. The excessive load could damage the installation.

Premier Tech Aqua is committed to providing clear and unbiased information to homeowners regarding the use and maintenance of their Ecoflo Biofilter. We want to make sure that your septic installation offers optimal treatment performances and continues to protect your environment for years to come.

Many companies now promote the use of septic tank additives and claim that this practice can accelerate biosolids digestion, limit scum production and improve settling. This, they promise, will lead to a more effective septic tank, fewer pump outs and can even restore a clogged drainfield bed.

While this may seem as an attractive solution at first glance, to date, no clear scientific evidence has provided any indication that adding bacteria, enzymes or a mix of both to a septic tank is safe for any septic installation or can provide any benefits – neither in terms of savings or life of the product. But there is mounting evidence to the contrary showing that these additives may be harmful to secondary advanced systems and could even lead to an accelerate clogging of a dispersal field.

With little data available to confirm that these products do not cause any harm to a secondary wastewater treatment system, Premier Tech Aqua must recommend against the use of septic tank additives and considers them unsafe for your Ecoflo.

Here’s why.

Recent scientific and technical literature about septic tanks shows that it is not recommended to use these products in well maintained septic tanks. Many studies demonstrate that the addition of bacteria and enzymes did not have any statistical effect on the bacterial populations and sludge, scum and total solids in septic tanks (D’Amato et al., 2008; Pradhan et al. 2006, 2011a, 2011b). Diak et al. (2012) have recently shown that adding enzymes into a septic tank had no significant impact on the biological activity.

The nature of the wastewater being fed to the tank already brings very high concentrations of microorganisms and enzymes that are well adapted to the anaerobic environment encountered inside a septic tank. The quantity of bacteria or enzymes added with these additives, whatever their concentration, represents an infinitesimal quantity as compared to the biomass already present in the septic tank. Also, it has not been clearly demonstrated by comparative studies that the added bacteria could outcompete the septic tank biomass and colonize this environment.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), biological additives in the form of bacteria consortium or enzymes do not appear to provide any benefits to the septic tank performance. Results from studies to evaluate their effectiveness have also failed to prove their cost-effectiveness for residential application (US EPA, 2002).

The digestion of particles accumulated in the septic tank could also release soluble organic compounds and colloids that could increase their mass loading rate onto the secondary treatment, the drain field or sand filter. Still according to US EPA (2002), for most products, concentrations of suspended solids and BOD in the septic tank effluent increase upon additives use, posing a threat to the secondary treatment performance installed after the septic tank. The degradation of the scum layer would release the oil and grease retained within the effluent of the septic tank, again increasing the load applied on the secondary treatment.

References

D’Amato, V.A., Bahe, A., Bounds, T., Comstock, B., Konsler, T., Liehr, S.K., Long, S.C., Ratanaphruks, K., Rock, C.A. and Sherman, K. 2008. Factors affecting the performance of primary treatment in decentralized wastewater systems. Research Digest 04-Dec-7. Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF). IWA publishing, UK

Diak, J., Ormeci, B and Kennedy, K.J. 2012. Effect of enzymes on anaerobic digestion of primary sludge and septic tank performance. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, 35(9):1577-1589.

Pradhan, S., Hoover, M.T., Clark, G.H., Gumpertz, M., Wollum, A.G., Cobb, C., and Strock, J. 2008. Septic tank additive impacts on microbial populations. Journal of Environmental Health, 70(6): 22-27.

Pradhan, S., Hoover, M.T., Clark, G.H., Gumpertz, A.G., Cobb, C., and Strock, J. 2011. Impacts of biological additives, Part 1: Solids accumulation in septic tanks. Advancement of the Science, 74(5):16-21.

Pradhan, S., Hoover, M.T., Clark, G.H., Gumpertz, A.G., Cobb, C., and Strock, J. 2011. Impacts of biological additives, Part 2: Septic Tank Effluent Quality and Overall Additive Efficacy. Advancement of the Science, 74(5): 22-28.

USEPA, 2002. Onsite wastewater treatment systems manual. EPA/625/R-00/008. 369 pages.

3-step filtering media replacement process

Remove

Passing through the Ecoflo lid, the used filtering media is removed using a vacuum truck similar to those operated to empty septic tanks.

While the Ecoflo's full casing is exposed, the service partner conducts a general inspection to verify if any internal components need to be replaced.

Fill

The new filtering media is inserted in the Ecoflo by a qualified technician, and the system is ready to use. Once this operation has been carried out, the warranty applying to your septic system's filtering media is automatically renewed. Thanks to the patented filtering media, your residence's wastewater is adequately treated on an ongoing basis and your health and the environment are protected.

Recycle

Your Ecoflo's used filtering media is then sent to a composting or recycling facility by the service partner. The used filter, combined with other organic matter, makes excellent cover for revegetalisation purposes.

View the Filtering Media Replacement video

Please contact us at 1 800 632-6356 or pta-maintenance@premiertech.com to know the company who offers the maintenance service in your area.

The Ecoflo septic system's biofiltration principle is based on the exclusive use of the organic, natural and patented filtering media provided by Premier Tech. Made of a natural organic fibre, this media provides a porous and stable environment with high air and water exchange capabilities. The filtering media's hydrodynamic properties maintain a healthy environment for the microorganisms that reduce pollutant levels. No other product available on the market has the necessary features to consistently treat wastewater.

Premier Tech's filtering media is made of materials that are selected for their flow and gaseous exchange properties as well as their long-term stability. These materials are then prepared, processed and standardized at our plant before being used specifically for wastewater treatment. The fiber is selected for its high level of granulometry – a feature that ensures an optimal oxygenation of the filtering media. To ensure a consistent and efficient operation, it is crucial to have the Ecoflo Biofilter's filtering media replaced by the manufacturer-recommended product sold by Premier Tech. Using the Premier Tech filtering media will ensure the proper operation of your Ecoflo system for many years and it is also mandatory to maintain the system's treatment performance and warranty.

The Ecoflo's filtering media is made up of sphagnum peat moss and/or coconut fragments, stabilized natural fibers that are high in organic matter and microorganisms. The coconut fiber used is a by-product derived from the coconut industry. It is a revalorized and compostable substance. The peat moss is a raw material that Premier Tech has harvested, revalorized and marketed for more than 85 years now.

Premier Tech Horticulture (PTH) believes that the sustainable management of peat bogs and the protection of ecosystems such as its harvest sites of peat moss are long-term commitments that the company plans to uphold for many years. To maintain these vital environments for generations to come, PTH actively participates in peat bogs restoration activities. In fact, over 40% of all peat bogs restorations in North America have been carried out by PTH.

The maintenance of your Ecoflo septic system is not a simple courtesy visit. It includes a complete verification of the internal components as well as the collection of data on your system's treatment performance and condition. Photos of the filter are taken and archived in our records and a detailed system condition report is included in your PTA file. The file is then analyzed at our offices by one of our experts who verify all of the data collected on your Ecoflo system by our partner. Premier Tech Aqua's annual maintenance program truly gives you peace of mind.

This payment procedure applies to canadian residents (except British Columbia).

There are several ways for you to settle your Premier Tech filtering media replacement invoice:

1. Credit card (Visa or MasterCard):

   Visit our secure online payment site at order.premiertechaqua.com and click on Log on and make your payment! Enter your client number and invoice number and follow the instructions to make your payment.

2. Banking services (by Internet or telephone)

   Once connected to the online payment service, select Premier Tech Aqua in the list of preauthorized vendors. Enter your client number and make your payment.

   Eligible financial institutions

   • Caisses Desjardins du Québec
   • Bank of Montreal
   • Scotia Bank
   • CIBC Bank
   • National Bank of Canada
   • Credit Union Central of Ontario

3. Cheque

   Mail a cheque issued to Premier Tech Aqua:

   • Premier Tech Aqua,
   • 1, avenue Premier
   • Rivière-du-Loup (Québec)  G5R 6C1

   Important: Make sure to write your client number and invoice number (as indicated at the bottom of the invoice) on the back of your cheque.

4. Questions?

   • creditpta@premiertech.com
   • 1 800 632-6356, ext. 6030
   • 418 867-3944 (fax)
   • Premier Tech Aqua
   • 1, avenue Premier
   • Rivière-du-Loup (Québec)  G5R 6C1

For invoices which include both the costs of the service provider and the Premier Tech filtering media:

There are several ways for you to settle your invoice:

1. Credit card (Visa or MasterCard):

   Visit our secure online payment site at order.premiertechaqua.com and click on Log on and make your payment! Enter your client number and invoice number and follow the instructions to make your payment.

2. Cheque

   Mail a cheque issued to Premier Tech Aqua:

   • Premier Tech Horticulture,
   • 127 South Fifth Street,
   • Suite 300, Quakertown PA 18951

   Important: Make sure to write your client number and invoice number (as indicated at the bottom of the invoice) on the back of your cheque.

   Questions?

   • creditpta@premiertech.com
   • 1 800 632-6356, ext. 6030
   • 418 867-3944 (fax)
   • Premier Tech Aqua
   • 1, avenue Premier
   • Rivière-du-Loup (Québec)  G5R 6C1

For invoices which include only the costs of the Premier Tech filtering media:

In certain states, Premier Tech Aqua sells new filtering media through its local partners. Payment is then made directly to the centre that sells the filtering media, at the suggested retail price indicated in the letter sent to you by Premier Tech Aqua.

Demand the original Premier Tech filtering media to ensure the proper operation of your system and respect the warranty conditions.

Please consult our list of PTA's local service partners (Canada or USA) for information on the applicable procedure in your state.

Questions?

• pta-maintenance@premiertech.com
• 1 800 632-6356
• 418 862-6642 (fax)

• Premier Tech Aqua
• 1, avenue Premier
• Rivière-du-Loup (Québec)  G5R 6C1

This billing procedure only applies to canadian residents (except British Columbia).

1. Credit card (Visa or MasterCard), by choosing from one of the following three (3) options:

   1. Visit our secure online payment site at order.premiertechaqua.com and click on Log on and make your payment! Enter your client number and invoice number and follow the instructions to make your payment. Follow the instructions provided to make your payment.
   2. Return the duly completed reply coupon printed at the bottom of the renewal notice by:
      1. Fax: 418 862-6642
      2. Email: pta-maintenance@premiertech.com
      3. Mail:
         • Premier Tech Aqua
         • C/O Wastewater Treatment Services Team
         • 1, avenue Premier
         • Rivière-du-Loup (Québec)  G5R 6C1
   3. Contact our client Service Department toll free at 1 800 632-6356.

2. Banking services (by Internet or telephone)

   Once connected to the online payment service, select Premier Tech Aqua in the list of preauthorized vendors. Enter your client number and make your payment.

   Eligible financial institutions

   • Caisses Desjardins du Quebec
   • Bank of Montreal
   • Scotia Bank
   • CIBC Bank
   • National Bank of Canada
   • Credit Union Central of Ontario

3. Cheque

   Mail a cheque made out to Premier Tech Aqua along with the duly completed reply coupon included with your renewal notice: Premier Tech Aqua, C/O Wastewater Treatment Services Team, 1 avenue Premier, Rivière-du-Loup, QC G5R 6C1

   Important: Make sure to write your client number and letter number (as indicated at the bottom of the letter) on the back of your cheque.

   Questions?

   • pta-maintenance@premiertech.com
   • 1 800 632-6356
   • 418 862-6642 (fax)
   • Premier Tech Aqua
   • 1, avenue Premier
   • Rivière-du-Loup (Québec)  G5R 6C1

This billing procedure applies to residents of the following US States only:

• Alabama (AL)
• Arizona (AZ)
• Arkansas (AR)
• Delaware (DE)
• Georgia (GA)
• Kentucky (KY)
• Maryland (MD)
• Michigan (MI)
• Minnesota (MN)
• Missouri (MO)
• New York (NY)
• Ohio (OH)
• Pennsylvania (PA)
• Vermont (VT)
• West Virginia (WV)

There are several ways for you to make this payment:

1. Credit card (Visa or MasterCard), by choosing from one of the following three (3) options:

   1. Visit our secure online payment site at order.premiertechaqua.com and click on Log on and make your payment! Enter your client number and invoice number and follow the instructions to make your payment. Follow the instructions provided to make your payment.
   2. Return the duly completed reply coupon printed at the bottom of the renewal notice by:
      1. Fax: 418 862-6642
      2. Email: pta-maintenance@premiertech.com
      3. Mail:
         • Premier Tech Horticulture
         • 127 South Fifth Street, Suite 300
         • Quakertown, PA 18951
   3. Contact our client Service Department toll free at 1 800 632-6356.

2. Cheque

   Mail a cheque issued to Premier Tech Aqua: Premier Tech Horticulture, 127 South Fifth Street, Suite 300, Quakertown PA 18951

   Important: Make sure to write your client number and invoice number (as indicated at the bottom of the invoice) on the back of your cheque.

   Questions?

   • pta-maintenance@premiertech.com
   • 1 800 632-6356
   • 418 862-6642 (fax)
   • Premier Tech Aqua
   • 1 avenue Premier
   • Rivière-du-Loup (Québec)  G5R 6C1

This procedure applies to residents of the following Canadian Province and US States only:

Canadian Province:

• British Columbia, BC

US States:

• Florida (FL)
• Iowa (IA)
• New Jersey (NJ)
• North Carolina (NC)
• Virginia (VA)

In certain American states as well as in British Columbia (Canada), Premier Tech Aqua's local service partners manage annual contract renewals directly with their clients.

Demand the services of a PTA certified service provider to ensure the proper operation of your system and respect the warranty conditions.

Please consult our list of PTA Certified Service Providers (Canada or USA) for information on the applicable procedure in your area.

Questions?

• pta-maintenance@premiertech.com
• 1 800 632-6356
• 418 862-6642 (fax)

• Premier Tech Aqua
• 1, avenue Premier
• Rivière-du-Loup (Québec)  G5R 6C1

The Ecoflo Biofilter comes with a 10-year warranty for the shell, an 8 or 10-year warranty (depending on the installation year, the model and if the septic tank is equipped with a effluent filter) for the filtering media and a 2-year parts and labor warranty for the pump, floats and alarm box if the system is equipped with a pumping station.

Here are these warranty's terms and conditions, which are also explained in your Ecoflo Biofilter owner's manual

It is important that you keep your Ecoflo Biofilter owner's manual because it contains important information to enable you to respect your warranty conditions and ensure the proper operation of your Ecoflo septic system. Consult our Download section for the current year's owner's manuals. To obtain the owner's manual of an Ecoflo system installed prior to the current year, contact our client service department at 1 800 632-6356 or send an email to pta@premiertech.com for a free PDF copy.

Don't forget to let us know!

It is important that you provide us with this information to enable us to track the Ecoflo Biofilter installed on this property and honor the warranty conditions. If you have recently sold your property, simply complete the Notice of property transfer and send it to PTA.

Don't forget to let us know!

It is important that you provide us with this information to enable us to track the Ecoflo Biofilter installed on this property and honor the warranty conditions. If you have recently purchased a property, simply complete the Notice of ownership change and send it to PTA.