What is a lagoon?

On-site Wastewater Lagoons are a natural and effective way to break down and treat wastewater form residences.  Lagoons are designed and sized based upon the number of bedrooms in the home.  Waste and wastewater flow from the home into the properly constructed lagoon where heavy material sinks to the bottom of the lagoon and is digested by naturally occurring bacteria.  A septic tank before the lagoon can improve the quality of the discharge from a lagoon, but is not mandatory unless the lagoon is constructed in a subdivision, or the residence has a garbage disposal.  Wastewater in the lagoon is also treated by bacteria, algae, sunlight, and wind.  The discharge pipe is allowed in a lagoon, but lagoons generally do not discharge if properly sized except when there are periods of heavy rain.

Lagoon Maintenance:

Lagoon maintenance is easy, if the following precautions are taken:

1. Keep the berms (outside and inside) mowed.  Do not allow trees and tall vegetation to grow in the lagoon as this will cause the lagoon to “go septic” and odors will develop.
2. The lagoon is not a trash dump.  Do not allow garbage, tires or debris to get into the lagoon.
3. Do not allow paints, paint thinner or large quantities of chemicals to flow to the lagoon.  Use of chlorine bleach in laundry and small amounts of household cleaners is ok.
4. Lagoons may develop odors when they “turn over” in the spring and fall.  If this happens and lasts for more than a day or two, add fertilizer to the lagoon.  This will jump start the algae and reduce odors.  Fertilizers containing ammonium nitrate are best.
5. If cattails get into the lagoon, there are chemicals that will kill them, but they must be pulled out by the roots.  The best way to avoid cattails is to keep plenty of water in the lagoon.
6. If you wish to shield your view of the lagoon you can plant some pine trees in front of the lagoon (at least 25 feet).  These will not drop needles in the lagoon or shade it, but within a year or so you will see the trees, not the lagoon.

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For questions on lagoons, call the Randolph County Health Department at 660-263-6643 Ext. 3043.