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4 <br /> S•eci=1 Studies, Demonstrations <br /> and Observations <br /> The most important observation is that the 180 <br /> existCng systems have functioned successfully for up to 7 <br /> years and there is no evidence of "progressive failure . " <br /> The Appendix contains samples of letters from property <br /> owner who are pleased with their systems and from <br /> regul tory officials who will accept the systems where <br /> conve tional systems are not allowed. <br /> Some test programs are "too good to be true , " such <br /> as a test installation at a Minnesota farm home in which <br /> over 50 ,000 gallons of septic tank effluent have been <br /> disch.:rged over an 18 month period into a system built like <br /> a non seeping evapo-transpiration bed, but the drain lines <br /> are 1.;id in compacted clay. (Details available. ) <br /> Detailed measurement of water levels in various <br /> • parts of several systems have been made during various <br /> seaso s and laboratory analyses have been made of liquid <br /> which reached the cathode. (See Appendix. ) <br /> Mr. Nix Anderson, who is in charge of the regulatory <br /> progr-m of the Casper-Natrona County, Wyoming, and Mr. Frank <br /> Coolbioth have made illustrated presentations at meetings <br /> of th= National Environmental Health Association showing how <br /> syste s are planned, installed and observed, and explaining . <br /> how e ectro-osmosis systems functioned well in soils not <br /> suita•le for conventional systems. <br /> Mr. David D. Effert, in 1977 , completed his Master' s <br /> Thesi- on "Performance of Alternate Wastewater Treatment <br /> Syste s . " This included a 17 to 20 month test and observation <br /> to co pare the "Wisconsin Mounds , " an aerobic unit and <br /> elect o-osmosis in relatively tight soils. <br /> During the study, 144 , 530 gallons of septic tank <br /> effluent at a home were applied to the first section of a <br /> serially installed trench of the electro-osmosis system. <br /> Only 9% passed on to the second section and none to succeeding <br /> secti.ns . The thesis noted the system size (built according <br /> to st-ndard electro-osmosis practice) " could be decreased <br /> with o harmful effect . " The report said, "The only system <br /> which had no problems and caused the homeowner no <br /> inconv-nience was the sewage osmosis system . . . . Each of <br /> the of er systems failed at least once during the study. " <br /> Mr. Coolbroth ' s records show that he never installs <br /> more ti an 170 lineal feet of 2 foot wide seepage trench <br />