Chapman Lakes Conservation Association, Inc.--Official Web Site

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Homeowners group together to form their small "district" or similar entity. As with any system for multiple use, income for maintenance and on-going operational management is needed.
CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS
Simple, but a bit more complicated, a constructed wetlands involves a large septic tank and a rubber or PVC-lined vegetated pond emptying into a nearby stream or absorption field. It offers another effective type of treatment. Generally, a municipally constructed wetlands system can be installed for less than half the cost of a sanitary treatment facility, according to a Purdue publication.

Constructed wetlands generally are used by small communities or areas, such as Indiana Beach, as an alternative to the more expensive treatment facility.   
   In over-simplified terms, effluent from a number of homes flows first into a buried tank where solids settle and begin to break down.  The liquid then flows to the pond where it is treated naturally by special plants.

   The resulting outflow is then safe to be piped into a nearby stream or drain field. Properly designed and operated, the system has no odor and the pond's growing aquatic plants are esthetically pleasing.
   Typically, a 30 by 15 feet wetland cell can easily handle a three bedroom home, Purdue says. So, a one-acre constructed wetlands pond, for example, could treat effluent from 50-100 residences. Systems such as this are most effective for small towns, small subdivisions and where piping effluent long distances or through rough terrain is costly. As with any utility supporting multiple residences, there are on-going maintenance and monitoring costs and effluent must be piped from homes to the site. This type of treatment system is also affected by heavy rains.

MUNICIPAL TREATMENT

   Said to be the most effective and costly sewage treatment is the use of a major municipal sanitary treatment plant. Often referred to as a "brick and mortar" solution. A part of the reason for the high initial cost lies in the engineering and major heavy construction necessary to move large volumes of effluent from large residential and commercial areas to the main plant. Highly regulated, there is the problem of sludge by-product disposal.

Such plants are designed to handle sewage from entire cities and surrounding communities. A municipal sewage system is a major operation of local government requiring staff, material, maintenance and monitoring effort. A major objection usually involves monthly fees, but more specifically upon what to base those fees. Outflow from a municipal plant is directed to a nearby stream. Plants are often impacted by heavy rainfall even though communities are now required to separate storm drainage from sewage. A major concern is the increase in chemicals and some toxins that are becoming more difficult to treat or eliminate from outflow.
OTHER METHODS
Some states allow aerobic or "package" treatment plants. These are an alternative to a septic tank but operate much like a municipal sewage treatment plant, although very small.

Typically, these tanks are about the size of a septic tank, with compartments for pretreatment, trash, aeration, and settling chamber. Aerobic units can be susceptible to failure, require electricity, some supervision, and maintenance.

Other methods include mounds, sand filters, enhanced-flow, low pressure distribution, and waterless toilets.