Norweco/Jet-style aeration tank

Explore the tank. Tap or click the highlighted outlet filter, aerator, or sludge layer to see what it does and what to watch for.

Swipe the diagram sideways to see all the labels.

How a Jet-style aeration tank works Side cutaway showing scum, liquid and sludge in pretreatment, bubbles in the aeration chamber, and effluent leaving the settling chamber. How an aeration tank works Norweco/Jet-style aeration tank - side cut Pretreatment Aeration Settling Inlet tee Outlet tee Standard filter From homeEffluent out Aerator Scum Effluent layer Sludge Fine solids settle Green arrows show the direction of flow. Rising bubbles show air added in the middle chamber. Shared shaft-aerator layout. The outlet filter and internal details vary by model.
  1. Pretreatment. Scum floats, and the small falling particles show suspended solids settling as sludge. The effluent layer sits between them and moves through an opening halfway down the wall into the aeration chamber.
  2. Aeration. The aerator adds oxygen and mixes the wastewater. In Jet systems equipped with BAT media, the two lined blocks shown here represent submerged treatment media. Microorganisms grow on its surfaces and help break down waste.
  3. Settling. Liquid flows under the divider into the settling chamber, where fine particles settle. Before leaving the tank, treated effluent passes through a standard outlet filter where equipped, or through a Bio-Kinetic filter in Norweco Singulair systems. Both the inlet and outlet tees extend below the liquid surface.
Outlet filter

It catches solids before they leave the tank. A clogged filter can slow outflow or lift out of its seat, letting solids pass around it even when household drains seem normal.

See the clogged and cleaned filter photos.

Aerator

The motor adds air and mixes the wastewater so oxygen-using microorganisms can break down waste. If your panel shows an aerator warning, check the alarm guide for the next step.

Watch how the aerator draws in air ยท Read about aerator alarms.

Sludge layer

Heavy solids settle here. As sludge accumulates, it takes up tank space and can increase the chance of solids moving downstream. A sludge-depth check helps determine when pumping is due.

Learn when to pump your tank.