If the aerobic tank is properly functioning, the effluent discharge is cleaner and less odorous. However, it is still sewage and must be discharged to an absorption field for final filtration and purification. If the aerobic tank agitator or air compressor fails, the quality of effluent discharged from an aerobic tank will not be as good as that from an adequately sized and maintained septic tank. Because aerobic units require considerable maintenance, a continuous service agreement should be maintained with a dealer or installer. Other Alternatives Alternatives to the flush toilet, and thus to other home sewage treatment methods are also available.
Chemical toilets are available in many models.
In most of them, a charge of chemical is added to a small amount of water. When the holding chamber is full, a valve can be opened to discharge the wastes into a septic tank or other holding tank for later disposal at a sewage treatment plant. On some chemical toilets the holding chamber can be removed for waste disposal. Incinerating toilets can completely eliminate liquid wastes from the toilet and are available both in electric and gas models. The wastes are collected in a firing chamber and incinerated into sterile ash which must be removed periodically and applied to the land.