Commonly Asked Questions

"Who are your primary clients?"

Architects, developers, contractors and homeowners.

"I'm building a new home and need a septic permit, where do I start?"

ESS works in over five different counties and is very knowledgeable in all aspects of septic and building construction. Kim Clark is the office manager and will be more than happy to consult and advise you on building codes, legal issues, permiting and site history and evaluations to get you to the next step.

"I own a very difficult building site/lot what are my options?"

Our firm specializes in finding creative ways to engineer septic systems on problem sites on steep slopes or small parcels, with large redwood trees or poor soils or high ground water. By utilizing new septic technologies, Terry Craven can help you to get septic and building permits on properties that in the past, you could not.

I've been told by the county that I can only build a 3 bedroom residence, But my wife wants 4-5 bedrooms can you help?

Absolutely, ESS uses cutting edge technology like aerobic pretreatment, subserface drip systems, and nitrogen reduction processes that will enable us to vastly expand our clients options.

 

"What services do you provide?"

-Free initial site inspections.

-Test pit excavation and evaluations.

-Geotechnical soils lab testing.

-Professional civil, environmental and geotechnical engineering services.

-County permitting.

-Conventional septic system design and installations.

-Pressure distribution system design and installations.

-At-Grade system design and installation.

-Winery wastewater treatment systems.

-Geoflow drip system specialists.

-Northern California's exclusive Southern Manufacturing distriubutor.

-Hydro-Action authorized Dealer/Service technician.

-Orenco Advan-Tex Installer.

-Engineering plus aerobic system packages to architects or developers.

-Leach field restorations.

-Commercial and residential land development feasibility evaluations.      

-Residential operation, maintenance and monitoring services.

                

"Will my county allow alternative septic systems?"

The building codes of virtually every county in California allow for alternative treatment systems. To help facilitate permit approval, all of our projects are designed by Terry Craven P.E., and we work extensively in Napa County , Lake County , Sonoma County, Marin County, & Mendocino County.


"What contaminants do alternative systems remove?"

New aerobic technology systems remove 98% of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and 99% of the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), substantially exceeding State and local codes. Modern wastewater treatment technology is becoming so advanced, that its safe enough to irrigate lawns with. Today's advanced wasterwater treatment processes are changing the way California's building code does business!