Domestic/municipal wastewaters in rural areas are often treated using septic tank systems which are often not very efficient. Because of this, effluent from septic systems often pollutes rivers, lakes and groundwater. To address this, Stantec, along with Ecowork of Japan, is interested in evaluating an innovative septic system for Essex, Ontario, where a pilot unit will be set up and run for 12 months. All important pollution parameters will be evaluated and the process and design parameters will be optimized.