Colorado only - Infiltrator Quick4 septic leach field chambers
Infiltrator Quick4 Plus™ series chambers are high-density polyethylene arches that interlock to form a continuous drainage area with a much greater storage capacity 'surge' volume than pipe-in-gravel leach fields. They are the original and remain by far the most dependable septic leach field chamber system. Sewage is given plenty of oxygen and lots of time to percolate overnight. Optimal sewage treatment results in less bio-mat formation and ensures system longevity. Chambers are largely immune to root infiltration problems. Local building regulations commonly provide up to 30% leach field size reduction for chamber designs versus perforated pipe-in-gravel leach field. We do not sell the lighter weight Arc brand chambers or any of the other inferior off-brands. We only sell the heavier-duty Infiltrator Quick4 Plus chambers which have an H-10 load rating (16,000 pound single axle), given at least one foot of machine compacted cover. You should never drive over or store snow atop any leach field, but Plus series chambers will handle an occasional load when driven across like train tracks. For over 30 years, we've proudly sold Infiltrator® products.
Delivery is FREE with minimum order, by company truck within about a 50 mile radius of central Denver. Or you can will-call pick up in person at our central Denver area warehouse with a pre-paid order. North to Fort Collins and Greeley, South to Franktown and Monument, East to Deer Trail and Tampa, West to Georgetown and Silver Plume, and SouthWest to Bailey and Conifer. Delivery slightly outside this free shipment radius may be possible for an extra fee. We can normally schedule an AM or PM delivery with at least three days advance notice, weather permitting. Designated receiver must be on site and waiting to provide the driver with assistance unloading. Infiltrator septic tanks are also available for free delivery with leach field chambers. We do not ship Infiltrator products outside of Colorado. Outside of Colorado, please contact the manufacturer at InfiltratorWater.com or info@infiltratorwater.com or 800-221-4436.
Prices shown here are when paid with MasterCard or VISA credit card
5% Discount for bank wire, cashier's check or US Postal money orders
If you cannot view quantity pricing in your browser, email us for a quote
Infiltrator Quick4 Plus Standard are 12" tall by 34" wide by 52" long (48" assembled)
$30 each for All-In-One 12 Multiport endcaps and $27 for the Equalizer and Low-Profile
Quick4 Equalizer 36 are 22" wide by 12" tall by 52" and $3 less than price shown above
Equalizers are not a common choice since excavators rarely prefer two foot wide trenches
Quick4 Plus Low-Profile 8" tall by 34" by 52" are $2 less than standard 12" tall chamber
Low-Profile is only specified when amenable soil is very shallow below chamber trenches
Quick4 Plus High-Capacity 14" tall by 34" by 52" are $17 more than quantity price above
HC are rarely specified by engineers given only 15% (7 gallon) additional storage capacity
Quick4 H-20 High-Capacity 16" tall by 34" by 52" is special order and take a few weeks
H-20 rating is rarely specified since code never allows for driving over a septic leach field
$49 for 7-Hole Distribution Box and $59 for 9-hole Distribution Box (free plugs and seals)
must specify number of trenches and type of four inch diameter pipe being used: either SDR35 or Sch40
$22 for 6" tall D-box risers (7-hole box) brings lid to ground level & $2 for speed levelers
speed levelers ensure accurate distribution and allows flow to individual runs to be shut off
$239 for 4 foot by 250 foot heaviest-duty 5 ounce woven geofabric ships UPS
Fabric is draped over chamber top to prevent sand and silt from washing inside
Available in 3, 4, 5 and 6 foot widths and 30, 60, 90, 120 and 250 foot lengths
Please email us with your parts list, shipping address and telephone number
Infiltrator septic tanks and Quick4 leach field chambers are always kept in stock
No shopping cart for Infiltrator parts since we do not ship outside of Colorado
Will-call pick up in person central Denver & free delivery within ~50 mile radius
Plus Series is the updated Infiltrator Quick4 chamber with solid support legs that also serve as distribution pipe mounting brackets. We do not sell the much less sturdy Arc Series or the original Quick4 Series chambers. Standard chambers are 12 inch tall by 34 inch wide for installation in a 36 inch wide trench and offer advanced curved run capability with Contour Swivel Connection™ that permits turns up to 10 degrees, right or left. Standard 12 inch tall chambers are 52 inch long (48 inch net) for a 47 gallon initial surge capacity. Infiltrator Quick4 Plus Standard chambers weigh about 13 pounds each and a full pallet of 85 chambers is 7 foot 6 inch tall. Standard model chamber is used for 99% of septic systems.
Pipe and fittings are less expensive to purchase at HomeDepot or Lowes
If you can't find any special parts, we can source them with system purchase
Geotextile fabric & liners for perforated pipe leach fields and mound systems
Fabric delivery is only available with purchase of an Infiltrator system. Not shipped separately.
Please note that all Infiltrator and geotextile fabric prices are subject to change without notice.
$157 for 6 foot by 300 foot (200 sq yd) of 2 ounce sq yd non-woven polypropylene
$257 for 10 foot by 300 foot (333 sq yd) of 2 ounce sq yd non-woven polypropylene
$307 for 12 foot by 300 foot (400 sq yd) of 2 ounce sq yd non-woven polypropylene
$769 for 12 foot 6 inch by 360 foot (500 sq yd) of 4.2 ounce sq yd non-woven 'Mirafi'
$929 for 15 foot wide by 360 foot (600 sq yd) of 4.2 ounce sq yd non-woven 'Mirafi'
$477 for 6.35 foot by 100 foot roll (635 sq ft) of 30 mil PVC mound liner membrane
All installation tips detailed here apply equally to perforated pipe-in-gravel leach fields. Whatever your Individual Sewage Disposal System ISDS permit site plan specifies is perfectly adequate minimum acceptable standards, but rarely offers any choices to expedite construction, increase leach field longevity, anticipate repairs or improve resale value. We encourage clients to mail a copy of their site plan for free review with purchase of an Infiltrator septic system. For over 30 years, we have been providing much the same system with excellent feedback. With 64 different counties in Colorado, and an infinite variety of site and soil conditions, we cannot predict what will be required by the building department on your property. Always check with your building department to confirm local regulations prior to planning any septic (greywater) system to confirm what is required for your property. The Natural Home is not an engineering firm; we do not provide any engineering services, soil testing or on-site work.
Installation involves digging a series of three foot wide trenches, or single large rectangular 'bed', connecting the Infiltrator chambers and then back-filling with existing soil. As a general rule, trenches 'fingers' should be no longer than fifty feet (12 or 13 Infiltrators long) for best function and most even effluent distribution. Unless you are installing as a "bed" system (where the chambers are right next to each other), leave at least six feet of undisturbed soil between fingers. In practice, this six feet of undisturbed soil between trenches becomes eight feet or more since you don't want to compact the soil above the Infiltrators; one should allow at least the width of the backhoe between trenches. And don't forget to loosen the soil twelve inches below bottom of the trench (scarify) before installing the Infiltrators leach chambers. The worst mistake you can make is to compact (smear) the soil in bottom of a leach field trench. You want to be sure to loosen 'scarify' the soil to allow for proper percolation of effluent. No gravel is needed, but gravel is always an upgrade option to aid treatment and longevity in any soil. Geotextile soil fabric atop chambers is not absolutely necessary, but in sandy or silty soil, geofabric is recommended for the sake of longevity to keep flooding soil from migrating into the chambers.
Infiltrator Plus series chambers are far superior to pipe-in-gravel in every aspect: smaller leach field size due to optimal percolation, large 47 gallon storage capacity per chamber, root infiltration protection for long term viability, and resistance to traffic with 16,000 pounds per axle load rating, given at least one foot of cover. There is an H-20 traffic load rated Infiltrator chamber available that can handle 32,000 pounds per axle with at least 18 inches of compacted 'road base' soil above. However, driving over the top of any leach field is not recommended and may not be allowed by local building codes. When traffic is necessary, always drive perpendicular from the side, not down the length or even a load-rated chamber could collapse. Traffic rating is per axle, not per tire, assuming both tires hit at the same time. Maximum acceptable burial depth for Quick4 Plus chambers is determined by local site, soil, and groundwater conditions. Local building code and/or engineer dictates the maximum allowable depth, usually at about 3 feet to the top of the chamber. The manufacturer does not address maximum engineering depth other than to suggest no more than 8 feet to the top of the chamber.
estimating number of chambers and field design
There is no accurate method to estimate how many Infiltrator chambers are required without digging test pits in area of leach field. A percolation test performed at depth of leach field can approximate soil absorption rate, but only a test pit at least six feet deep will confirm soil composition beneath the leach field, ensuring proper waste treatment is possible in the critical first three feet. Number of chambers is determined with soil/usage equation supplied by local building department which varies from county-to-county, let alone state-to-state. That equation typically takes into account '1.5 engineering factor' which includes 50% extra for long-term viability. A very general 'rule-of-thumb' minimum size is "one square foot per gallon per day" minus up to a 30% reduction for using chambers instead of perforated pipe-in-gravel leach field. But that could be way off, depending upon actual soil percolation rate and estimate of daily usage. Bare minimum usage rate to estimate with is 100 gallons per person per day. Therefore the building department often uses 200 gallons per bedroom per day when sizing residential systems. Each chamber is 12 square feet of base area and 8 square feet of sidewall area. For instance: 2 bedroom home may be calculated locally as 2 x 200 = 400 x 1.5 = 600 gallons per day usage. If you are given credit for sidewall percolation from trench chambers, that is 600 divided by 20 = 30 chambers in well percolating soils. More conservative approach (less well percolating soils) would be to estimate using only the base area of trench: 600 divided by 12 = 50 chambers. There is a huge difference between what is 'possible' to percolate daily and what is best for sewage treatment to prevent contamination of groundwater. The larger the leach field, the better the treatment of wastewater. This is a critical factor when there is a well drilled within 200 feet of leach field location and/or you have seasonally high groundwater present that could prevent proper treatment of sewage. Best practice is to limit trench lengths to about 50 foot (12 to 13 four foot long chambers) for full trench saturation and best treatment of effluent.
Strip all topsoil from atop the tank, pipe, and leach field area and stockpile for revegetation later. Best practice is to return all soil, 'mounding' atop the leach field to encourage rain to drain away from the leach field area. Keep all vehicles OFF the absorption field area. After construction, protect all components from livestock and vehicle traffic to avoid soil compaction. Do not use the drainage area for snow storage.
do-it-yourself septic leach field design tips and rules of thumb
* Strip all topsoil from atop components and stockpile for revegetation later
* Return all soil, mounding atop leach field to encourage rain to drain away
* Keep all livestock, vehicles, and snow storage OFF tank and leach field
* Limit field runs (rows) to 12 or 13 chambers for about 50 feet total length
* Always bring effluent pipe in top of chamber end cap, never into the bottom
* Install large granite or durable ceramic tile underneath inlet for splash plate
* Always ventilate the ends of every leach field pipe run or set of chambers
* Loosen 'scarify' soil at least one foot in base of trench before backfilling
* Add gravel into base of trench and atop chambers to improve longevity
* Geotextile fabric prevents soil intrusion into gravel from above & sides
* Never install geofabric in the bottom of any trench or septic leach field
* Septic tank up to 10 feet away and leach fields 20+ feet from foundation
* Leach field, especially pipe-in-gravel, should be 20+ feet away from trees
* Never plant bushes or deep-rooting fescue, dichondra, brome, or rye atop
* Never drive over a septic tank or leach field - chambers perpendicular only
All 'gravel-less' leach field chamber system brands function by the same set of physical limitations, regardless of marketing claims. Installation tips are not required, but there are always 'good, better, best' methods of approaching any construction project. 'Good enough' with chambers is digging a level trench and backfilling atop with native soil. 'Better' is to scarify (loosen and rake) the soil in base of trench to a depth of at least one foot before installing chambers. 'Best practice' is adding at least 6 inches of crushed washed 3/4 inch nominal gravel atop scarified soil to ensure long-term percolation and best sewage treatment. Your local quarry may refer to septic system leach field gravel as a #5 or a #57. The #5 translates as "crushed stones 1 inch or less". Sometimes, they don't bother to "wash" it to remove sand and fines. The #57 is a little more specific at +/- 3/4 inch size. You can use any size and type of gravel you wish for a French drain, but septic systems benefit from crushed gravel of this size for greater surface area for optimal treatment of waste effluent.
Some engineers go one step further and lay 2 inch diameter perforated pressurized distribution pipe in the top of chambers with 1/4 inch diameter holes every 2 foot facing upwards to ensure equal effluent introduction throughout the trench. This only works with a lift station 'dosing tank' to send a couple hundred gallons of effluent out at one time. Non-pressurized (no pump or dosing tank) systems do not benefit from distribution pipe since the larger 1/2 inch diameter holes must face downwards and effluent rarely reaches the end. When specified, non-pressurized systems strap 4 inch perforated pipe either side of the structural columns found on Quick4 Plus chambers. Do not run distribution pipe along the base of the trench since that area can be flooded at times should percolation rate be slow. Several inches of gravel atop chambers with a layer of geotextile fabric on top and sides is common practice in sandy or silty soils. Best practice is to limit trench lengths to about 50 foot (12 to 13 four foot long chambers) for full trench saturation and best treatment of effluent.
venting the end chamber of every run
Always vent the ends of each chamber run to ensure healthy air flow through system. Inspection port at end of each run must be drilled with holes to provide venting. Air is pulled through the chambers and out the plumbing vent atop roof of house. Fresh air and healthy soil are critical for long-term viability of leach fields. Standard ventilation specification is 1/8" diameter holes drilled at least one every square inch for at least eight inches above finish grade and capped. Larger holes are discouraged to prevent insects from nesting in the vent port. By allowing air to draft through chambers, you provide oxygen to an otherwise sealed cavity. Encouraging aerobic (oxygen-based) bacteria to prosper inside the leach field helps keep soil healthy and limits the growth of bio-mat anaerobic (no-oxygen) build-up from septic effluent particulates. Bio-mat formation is what eventually clogs soil, stops percolation, and causes leach fields to fail.
Take with a grain of salt, any claims of "superior" systems such as the Eljen GSF 'geotextile sand filter' with passive advanced treatment technology. In our experience, clients very rarely concern themselves with more effective treatment of wastewater, but rather the ultimate longevity of their leach field. Chamber systems have the major advantage of a very large surge volume, something niche systems like the Eljen GSF geotextile sand filter do not offer. In the long run, having a larger retention area for daily surge potential is what keeps a leach field from failing, not shiny bells and whistles. We recommend installing the largest septic tank possible for optimal settling and filtration before wastewater reaches the leach field rather than investing in wastewater treatment gimmicks. We cannot recommend Easy Flow 'engineered drain systems' which combine corrugated slotted pipe wrapped with geotextile fabric and expanded polystyrene aggregate (packing peanuts) held in place with a netting wrap. These are fine for a French drain, but not when used in a septic system leach field. Easy Flow longevity is terrible given the accumulation of bio-mat inside the pipe and against the geofabric wrapping. They are an absolute nightmare should the contaminated pipe and packing peanuts ever have to be removed. Worst job ever.
septic system additives and enzyme cures
Never use ANY septic tank or leach field chemical additives and miracle enzyme cures. Properly sized two compartment septic tanks will operate just fine without potentially dangerous additives. Breaking down fats and solids in the septic tank simply allows these now much smaller particles to pass through the septic filter where they reunite in the leach field forming a dense bio-mat. The FDA does not approve of any additives and none have proven themselves effective (or safe) in the long run. You don't want to see these additives find their way into your well water and intestines. Leach field distance from the wellhead is no purity guarantee, just an arbitrary number locally assigned. Lateral water (sewage effluent) movement underground is extremely unpredictable at certain times of the year.
bed all leach field pipe in plenty of gravel
All pipes must be well-bedded in at least six inches of +/- 3/4 inch gravel to avoid frost issues or soil settling and heaving pipe off-level. Best practice is first connection (joint) at effluent pipe coming out of foundation be made with rubber boot coupler. Common mistake is solvent welding that first joint with a hard fitting and not bedding pipe. Should the newly installed pipe run settle, a rubber boot coupler will adapt, unlike solvent welded joint. Pipe from foundation to septic tank slopes maximum of 1/4 inch per foot. Too steep of slope and water will bypass solid waste in the pipe, eventually clogging it. Slope minimum 1/8 inch per foot from septic tank to distribution box and leach field. Much steeper is possible, but best to level-off prior to the distribution box or the turbidity will affect equal splitting to runs. Use lots of purple primer on all pipe joints and splash it around to allow inspector to clearly see everything was properly primed before solvent welding.
Four inch diameter sewer pipe comes directly from cleanout, immediately adjacent foundation, to the septic tank. No bends should be installed between house and septic tank or toilet waste may settle in the line and eventually block flow. After the septic tank, sewer pipe can make bends as need be. Just maintain 1/8 to 1/4 inch per foot slope until the septic tank. Greater slope than 1/4 inch per foot may allow water to flow around toilet waste, allowing it to settle and block flow. Less than 1/8 inch drop per foot and you may leave flat sections or dips that can freeze. When designing site plan, you are not limited to coming in one end of tank and out the opposite end. Infiltrator tanks can be plumbed from three directions on both ends.
Critical detail is to bed all pipe, fittings, and distribution boxes well in at least six inches of gravel to ensure level is maintained and frost is not an issue. Best practice is to 'wet-set' distribution box atop a bag or three of Quikrete to ensure level is maintained. Wet-set refers to pouring dry concrete mix under and around and then wetting it with water. You can pre-mix the concrete or set with minimal water in the field with 'fence post' dry mix. Fill the bottom of D-box with water up to hole openings to give it some weight. Water will exit all outlet holes evenly when box is perfectly level. Bringing lid up to near the surface with D-Box risers will allow use of Speed Levelers to dial-in accurate distribution. Rotating speed levelers upside down allows individual runs to go fallow and dry out seasonally to help protect longevity.
Concerning the use of Sch40, SDR35, or ASTM 3034 pipe in septic systems, SDR35 'sewer, drain, vent' pipe with 3034 fittings is adequate for wastewater systems outside the home foundation. Sch40 thick wall pipe is only required for pressurized water systems. Sch40 might help should you ever drive over the system, but one should never ever drive over any pipe. At the very least, you may create a dip in the line and block flow. Should you be forced to drive over a section of pipe, always 'sleeve' the four inch pipe inside an outer six inch Sch40, or thicker, galvanized metal pipe.
"Are we allowed to install this septic system on our property" or "how many chambers do we need" are not questions we can answer for you. We have been providing septic system parts for over thirty years now, but we do not follow constantly changing city, county, and state building regulations. Unfortunately, with over 3000 counties in the United States, regulations changing from year-to-year, and interpretations of those rules varying from one inspector to another (and one engineer to the next), it's never possible to be certain 'what is allowed' locally. We encourage clients to mail copies of their septic system plans for our free review with purchase of a system. But understand that The Natural Home is not an engineering firm; we do not provide any engineering services, soil testing or on-site work.
Flow director valve tee splits 50/50 or 100% in one direction
Four inch flow director splitter valve kit comes complete with adjustment handle, riser, coupler, and four inch threaded access cap. Special staggered hubs on the ‘versa-tee’ will accommodate PVC or ABS pipe in 4 inch diameter in both Sch40 or thin wall SDR35 sewer drain pipe. Effluent can be accurately split 50/50 evenly between the two outlet pipes OR you can alternate the flow 100% to one side. Distribution boxes and tee fittings off-level by as little as 1/8 of an inch will be drastically less than equal 50/50 split. But with director valve, even at 1/8 inch tilt, flow directer delivers relatively equal flows (+/- < 1.3%). Flow director valve allows one half of your septic system leachfield to go fallow for a few months to revitalize soil, prevent overloading, and reduce the growth of bio-matting. This is a critical design advantage. Three director valves allow splitting between four separate lines, giving you the option of allowing 1/4 of leachfield to go dry seasonally.
Flow director splitter valve fitting is designed for gravity flow systems only. There is a two inch drop in elevation from inlet pipe (base of tee) to two outlet pipes (top of tee) where the effluent flow splits. Internal weir divides the flow, this is not a gate valve. Not for use in dosing systems with lift station pump or automatic siphon, or when attached to smaller than four inch pipe. Use two gate valves and a tee manifold instead of a director valve with pressurized (or siphon) effluent systems. We don't sell gate valves given the extremely wide range of options. Click for flow director splitter valve installation tips.
Director Valve Kits come as pictured, complete with four inch threaded access cap, riser pipe, coupler, and the adjustment handle. Extension of riser pipe and handle is possible with common PVC pipe. "Versa-tee" accommodates 4 inch diameter Sch40 or SDR35 pipe and can be used with ABS or PVC since it is not a pressurized fitting.
$107 each with FREE UPS Ground shipping service to 48 states. In stock and will ship by the next business day.
In stock
