A Septic System from A To Z

In site treatment is commonly used in rural areas, but it has recently gained popularity in some urban areas due to the expected reduction in capital costs and energy consumption compared to wastewater treatment. Domestic wastewater has many nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as other elements that exceed drinking water standards; Therefor, wastewater entering the septic tank poses a risk of groundwater pollution and threats to aquatic ecosystems.

Septic tanks are wastewater treatment works that are often used in rural areas where there is no centralized sewer line. They treat wastewater from home plumbing, such as bathrooms, kitchen drains and laundry rooms, with a combination of nature and established septic tanks systems technology. Organic matter is digested in the septic tank, and floating matter (such as oil and grease) and particles are separated from the wastewater. The wastewater (liquid) from the septic tank is discharged through a series of perforated pipes buried in the leakage field, chambers or other specific devices intended to gently drain the wastewater into the ground. Sewage from septic tanks is pumped or evacuated by itself through sand and organic matter.

Here’s how a typical conventional septic system works:

 All the water in your home flows into the septic tank through a single main drain.

 1. A septic tank is an underground watertight tank made of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene. Its job is to hold the wastewater in place long enough for the particles to sink to the bottom and form a sludge, and the grease to float to the top and form a scum.

 2. Sludge and scum is prevented from leaving the tank and entering the washout field through compartments and a T-shaped outlet.

3. The wastewater (liquid wastewater) leaves the tank and flows into the drainage field.

 4. The culvert yard is an unsaturated, shallow, covered excavation. The pre-treated wastewater is drained to porous surfaces through pipes, allowing the wastewater to filter through the ground.

What are the important things you must know about when having a septic system in your home?

 You probably already know that you have a septic system in place. If you’re not sure, here are some statistics you can get:

• You’re drinking from the well.
• There is no meter on the pipe that brings water to your house.
• On your water bill or your property tax bill, say “$ 0.00 amount invoiced”.
• Your next-door neighbor has a septic tank.

And if you are still unable to find out whether, you already have a septic system, we suggest you follow these steps.

Once you have verified that you have a septic system, you can locate it by doing the following:

• Check drawings as built of your home.
• Watch for manhole covers in your yard.
• Contact a septic system service company to help you find it.

At a failure of septic system, you can self asses by looking out for the warning signs. Normally people think bad odors are usually the first sign of a faulty septic system. But it is not the case. If you see any of the following, contact a septic tank specialist:

• Sewage backing up into the home’s sewer system.
• Drainage field grass is bright green and spongy, especially in dry weather.
• Around your septic system or in your basement, there is standing water or mud.
• Septic tanks and washed fields give off a strong odor.

By having a fair understanding of how septic systems function you can select the best type that works for you and enhance the benefits septic systems offers while keeping your environment safe.