Contact Us For a Free Consultation
Locally Owned and Family Operated by the Gessford Family Since 1967
An aerobic septic system adds oxygen to the treatment process. That oxygen lets oxygen-loving bacteria break down household and business wastewater more thoroughly than a conventional septic tank can. In Maryland, the nitrogen-reducing units installed near the Chesapeake Bay are called BAT (Best Available Technology) systems, and many of them rely on this type of aerobic treatment. These systems run on an air pump, controls, and an alarm, so they need more regular attention than a standard tank.
Annapolis Septic Service provides aerobic septic system maintenance and pumping for property owners in Annapolis, Deale, Edgewater, and communities throughout our four-county service area. We are based in Deale, Maryland, and the Gessford family has operated the company since 1967. After each visit, we explain what we found and recommend service based on your system’s actual condition.
A conventional system relies on anaerobic bacteria, which work without oxygen. It usually moves wastewater by gravity and has few or no electrical parts. An aerobic septic system adds mechanical treatment, so the water is cleaner by the time it reaches the soil. That can make it a practical option for small lots, challenging soil, high water tables, or properties close to tidal waters.
Service visits that keep the treatment process running. Depending on your unit and the manufacturer’s requirements, a visit may include checking the air pump, testing the alarm and controls, cleaning filters, and checking sludge levels in the pretreatment tank.
Care for BAT nitrogen-reducing units. In Maryland, a certified provider must service these at least once a year. Some service steps depend on the manufacturer, so contact our office with your unit’s make and model and we can confirm what applies.
The air pump or blower runs around the clock and is one of the parts that most often needs attention. If a pump is not working as intended, we explain what we observed and your options for addressing it.
Ongoing care for your home system, from routine pumping to inspections and BAT system service. This is a good fit if you want a fuller picture of how to keep your household system working properly.
Read more
Pumping, cleaning, inspections, and maintenance for business properties, including larger systems that handle higher wastewater volumes. We schedule service around your operating hours.
Read more
Sometimes a service visit reveals a problem that goes beyond routine maintenance. When that happens, our team handles installation and repair for residential and commercial systems, based on your property and system conditions.
Read moreThe Gessford family has served local property owners for decades and built long-term relationships across the community.
Our team includes professionals trained to service approved BAT nitrogen-reducing septic systems, which need more maintenance than conventional tanks.
We provide service throughout our approved counties and know the conventional and advanced systems common to the area.
We work on home systems and higher-volume business systems, so we understand the demands of each.
Keep your aerobic unit working the way it was designed to, with a team that has served the area since 1967. Annapolis Septic Service services aerobic and BAT systems for homes and businesses. We explain what we find, so you know where your system stands and what to plan for next.
We serve Annapolis, Deale, and surrounding communities across Anne Arundel, Calvert, Prince George’s, and Queen Anne’s counties, and we make it easy to schedule the service your system needs.
Call us at 410-224-2461 to schedule aerobic septic system service. Ask about available veteran discounts.
We remove the liquid, sludge, and scum that build up in your tank over time, including in the pretreatment tank of an aerobic system. Regular pumping helps protect your drain field and keep the system working properly.
Read more
We evaluate the accessible parts of your system to check its condition and catch issues early. An inspection is useful for routine upkeep, before buying or selling a home, or when something about the system has changed.
Read more
We remove built-up solids from your tank and check visible conditions while the tank is open. Some systems, including aerobic units, have additional service needs that we can confirm for your property.
Read moreAn aerobic septic system is a wastewater treatment system that pumps air into the wastewater so oxygen-loving bacteria can break down waste. It treats the water more thoroughly than a conventional septic tank before the water reaches the soil. In Maryland, many nitrogen-reducing BAT units use aerobic treatment.
Wastewater first enters a pretreatment tank, where solids settle. It then moves to an aeration chamber, where an air pump or blower supplies oxygen to bacteria that digest organic material. Next, a clarifier lets remaining particles settle. Finally, the treated water flows to the approved dispersal area, such as a drain field or sand mound. Nitrogen-reducing units add a low-oxygen stage that converts nitrogen compounds into nitrogen gas.
Cost depends on the unit, the size of the home or building, site and soil conditions, permits, any work needed on the rest of the system, and ongoing maintenance and electricity. In Maryland, eligible property owners may qualify for Bay Restoration Fund grants that cover part or all of the cost of a nitrogen-reducing unit. For service and maintenance pricing, contact our office and tell us about your system.
Neither is better for every property. A conventional system is simpler, uses little or no electricity, and needs attention less often. An aerobic system produces cleaner water and can suit small lots, difficult soil, or properties near tidal waters, but it needs electricity and routine maintenance. In Maryland’s Critical Area, new and replacement systems must use BAT, so your location and county requirements may make the choice for you.
In Maryland, a certified service provider must inspect BAT systems and perform any needed operation and maintenance at least once a year. Some manufacturers recommend more frequent visits. The pretreatment tank also needs pumping on a schedule that depends on tank size, usage, and how quickly solids build up. There is no universal pumping interval.
Yes. Solids collect in the pretreatment tank and, over time, in other chambers. Pumping removes that material, but it does not replace the operation and maintenance visit that keeps the air pump, alarm, and filters working.
Reduce water use right away, keep children and pets away from the tank area, and contact your service provider. Do not open the control panel, disconnect the alarm, or remove tank lids. An alarm can have several causes, from a pump or power issue to high water levels, so a qualified septic professional should evaluate the system.