Cleaner Waters for Lake Recreation

Lake Conway, the largest commissioned game and fish reservoir in the U.S., is a major recreational destination in Central Arkansas. The lake was finished in 1951, and development around its shore began almost immediately. Unfortunately, the haste in setting up septic systems, coupled with poor management and unsuitable soil conditions, tainted the pristine waters of this scenic reservoir. At the time, little was done to standardize the septic installations. The lack of quality installations, combined with poor soils and negligent septic management practices, led to pollution in the waters of Lake Conway.

Enter Zoeller Recirculating Media Filters.

Money was granted in a first phase to convert over 300 of the original 1,700 homes from their existing septic tanks to a new wastewater treatment system. Engineered meticulously, Zoeller Recirculating Media Filters not only purify clustered wastewater, but also inspired the design of efficient force mains, orchestrating the seamless flow of septic effluents to the treatment system.

Zoeller Recirculating Media Filters are designed for use in decentralized wastewater treatment applications where the effluent quality must meet or exceed secondary treatment standards. The RMF technology can be used in residential, commercial, or small community applications for treating residential strength wastewater from a septic tank. Treatment occurs below grade as the fluid trickles down through the pore spaces of the media where aerobic organisms feed on the nutrients. Effluent leaves the system through an outlet pipe in the bottom of the filter.

Zoeller helped design the force mains that delivered the septic tank effluent from each home to the treatment system. The system is composed of four 55’ x 140’ (17 x 43 m) recirculating media filters and is designed to treat over 150,000 GPD (567,812 LPD). Treated water passes through a chlorine contact basin for sterilization and is discharged into the lake. Discharge limits are established and monitored by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.

The Recirculating Media Filters worked wonders by trapping pollutants, sifting out the effluent and letting only pristine, clean water flow through. Combined with good septic management practices, proper maintenance and regular inspections, follow-ups confirm the system’s stellar performance — a testament to the marriage of cutting-edge technology and environmental preservation. Lake Conway—restored, rejuvenated, and safeguarded for generations to come.