When a homeowner’s septic system failed in Santa Clara County, Avalon Rooter stepped in to design and install the county’s first Orenco Advantex wastewater treatment system. By exceeding engineering standards and investing in quality over shortcuts, Avalon Rooter turned a crisis into a lasting, environmentally responsible solution.
Built To Last: Santa Clara County’s
First Orenco Advantex System
How We Turned Septic Failure
Into A Long-Term Solution
Some projects test your patience. Others test your character. This one tested both.
When Avalon Rooter got the call about a failed septic system in Santa Clara County, it sounded like business as usual. That is, until we learned the county had red-tagged the property.
Unfortunately, untreated wastewater had flowed into a neighbor’s yard. The homeowners were desperate for a lasting solution.
This wouldn’t be a patch job. It would require one of the most advanced on-site wastewater management systems – the Orenco Advantex System. Beyond that, it required a company qualified to install it.
At the time, there were only three septic companies in Santa Clara County certified to complete the job – and we were one of them.
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The Challenge Beneath The Surface
The home itself was a century-old bungalow that had undergone repeated expansions since the early 1900s. Like many homes in that region of the East Bay, the septic system was never designed to accommodate all the added rooms or the modern use it faced.
By the time we had received the call, the leachfield had completely failed. The county was demanding a complete replacement FAST.
The engineering plans approved for the installation called for an Orenco Advantex recirculating treatment system paired with two massive raised sand beds. When our owner, Will, reviewed the plans, something didn’t sit quite right.
Those drawings only called for 1-inch plywood and 2×4 framing to support structures that would stand 3 feet tall and span more than 20 feet in length.
Will knew from years of experience that it might look good on paper, but it would never last in practice.
Doing It The Avalon Rooter Way
At Avalon Rooter, we don’t do the bare minimum, especially when we know it won’t last. We build our company on solid values that ensure we do what’s right for our customers.
So, when it came time to put this plan into action, we didn’t build it according to the drawings.
We upgraded the structural components of the new septic system to include:
- 4×4 framing
- 1.5-inch plywood
- Concrete reinforcement
- Deeper-set posts for stability
And we re-engineered the sandbed boxes on-site to ensure they would hold for decades, not years.
These improvements were not cheap – they added around $40,000 in material and labor costs. But the homeowner didn’t see a penny of those charges. We absorbed it all.
The homeowner never wanted to deal with this again, so we made sure he wouldn’t have to.
Orenco Advantex: A System Built To Perform
The final installation consisted of:
- A 1,500-gallon primary septic tank – feeds into a 1,250-gallon septic tankAn Orenco Advantex recirculating treatment filter – essential for cleaning and reusing effluent
- Two raised sand beds – designed to distribute treated water safely and evenly
The remarkable thing about this system is its production of water clean enough for irrigation use. Despite this, the homeowner chose not to incorporate this option.
The result was a completely new, environmentally responsible wastewater treatment system – the first of its kind approved in the county.
East Bay Septic Services Built On Integrity, Not Minimums
For our team, this job wasn’t about just meeting county regulations and standards. It was about exceeding our own.
Too many septic service contractors would have blindly followed the blueprints, checked the boxes, and called it good enough. At Avalon Rooter, we’re not afraid to choose the hard path, like we did on this installation.
Even though it meant extra work and higher expenses, it led to a better outcome for the homeowner, and that’s why we’re here.
A Septic System – And A Standard – That Lasts
At the end of the project, the homeowner got exactly what he requested – a reliable solution that won’t let him down and the peace of mind that comes with it. And we’re thrilled that we could deliver both.
This $170,000 project stands as proof that craftsmanship and conscience can coexist. At Avalon Rooter, we’re here to be your once-and-future plumber – and it shows in every action we take and every decision we make.
So, if you’re ready to upgrade your property with the next level of wastewater management, trust the certified experts at Avalon Rooter for an Orenco Advantex installation in the East Bay Area. Contact us today for a free estimate.
Commonly Asked Questions About Orenco Advantex
System Installations In Santa Clara County
Have more questions about our first Orenco Advantex installation? Check out these frequently asked questions.
Q1: What is an Orenco Advantex system, and why is it important?
A: The Orenco Advantex system is an advanced on-site wastewater treatment technology that filters and recycles wastewater safely and efficiently. It’s ideal for properties with failed or limited leach fields, offering cleaner, longer-lasting performance than traditional septic systems.
Q: Why was Avalon Rooter chosen for this installation?
A: Avalon Rooter is one of only three certified installers of Orenco Advantex Systems in Santa Clara County. Their team holds specialized manufacturer training and went beyond the engineering specs to ensure the system would last for decades.
Q: What made this project unique?
A: A: This installation was the first Orenco Advantex System approved in Santa Clara County. Avalon Rooter reinforced the engineer’s original design with stronger materials and concrete support, absorbing over $40,000 in added costs to guarantee the homeowner’s long-term peace of mind.