How Septic Tank System Works?

A septic tank system is a simple onsite sewage facility commonly used in locations without centralized sewer systems. The septic tank is designed to use anaerobic processes to treat wastewater from household plumbing, thereby reducing solids and organics. The system can be constructed with concrete, fiberglass or plastic materials, and it consist of the septic tank, drain field or soil absorption field.

There are different types of septic tank systems, but the installation depends on soil, topography, and groundwater level. The available septic tank systems include:

• The typical septic tank
• Conventional system
• Drip distribution
• The recirculating sand filter system
• Evapotranspiration system
• Constructed wetland system
• Cluster community system
• The chamber system

The other types of septic tank systems (mentioned above) are virtually designed to achieve one aim – to remove or neutralize pollutants from domestic sanitary wastewater. Separate solids while discharging the lighter solids and water to the drain field.

How the septic system works

• Waste from the kitchen, toilet, and other plumbing outlets runs directly to the septic tank.
• There are anaerobic bacteria in the septic tank whose responsibility is to break down the organic materials in the wastewater.
• During the digestion and breakdown of the affluent, the inorganic solid materials go down the tank allowing scum that is made up of fat grease and oil to float. The system is designed with compartments and T-shaped outlets that resists the sludge and scum from overflowing to the drain field. At a particular stage, the effluent flows to the drain field for further treatment.
• The drain field is mostly installed in unsaturated soil with porous surfaces that allow the filtration of wastewater. It is expected that the wastewater that goes into the drain field after filtration goes down to the groundwater.
• This process removes harmful coliform bacteria and nutrients from the wastewater before it infiltrates into the groundwater and aquifer.
• A noteworthy point for homeowners is never to allow the drain field to be loaded with much liquid because it could get flooded to allow sewage on the ground surface.

Call Septic Blue for septic tank maintenance service

It is up to you as a homeowner to determine how long and the effectiveness of your septic system. We encourage you to maintain a healthy septic tank system and interestingly, it is virtually less expensive to maintain than to repair. We believe you have learned and understood how the septic system works, however, if you want septic tank pumping and maintenance, call certified and experienced plumbers from Septic Blue.