As a homeowner, having a good understanding of your septic tank system is an essential part of homeownership. A properly functioning septic tank system will be able to handle and successfully process your home’s wastewater efficiently, effectively, and safely. In this blog post, we’ll be going over the ways in which a septic system operates, all of its components, and why it’s so important to properly maintain your septic tank for continued functionality for many years to come. Should you have any immediate questions or concerns, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
A conventional (or gravity-flow) septic system is an underground handler of wastewater, most commonly used in rural communities lacking a centralized sewage system. A conventional septic system works through a combination of natural processes and technology to successfully treat wastewater from your household’s plumbing produced by laundry machines, kitchen sinks, toilets, etc…
Most conventional septic tank systems have the following four components:
Pipe(s) from the Home: The wastewater from your home will flow through one or more primary drainage pipes into your septic tank (or tanks).
Septic Tank: The septic tank itself is an underground, watertight container commonly constructed of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. It performs the job of encapsulating the wastewater from your home long enough to provide an opportunity for the solids to settle at the base of the septic tank, while oils and grease will rise to the top of the wastewater container. This process forms what is commonly referred to as “sludge” or “scum” within the body of the septic tank.
Drainfield: The drainfield is the area where the wastewater exits the septic tank. This drainfield is often a shallow, covered excavation of land set up in unsaturated soil. Pretreated wastewater is then discharged through piping onto the porous surfaces which allow wastewater to properly filter through the soil itself. The airy soil will then intake, treat, and disperse the wastewater as it begins to percolate through the soil, leading to a final destination of benign release into the groundwater.
Soil: The soil in the drainfield area has the ability to provide the final "treatment" and “disposal” of the septic tank’s effluent. The soil is able to filter the effluent as it makes its way through the pore spaces. Microbial mechanisms within the soil provide further "treatment" by removing forms of the coliform bacteria, viral loads, and nutrients developed over time.
The process of a conventional septic system is relatively straightforward and explained below:
Wastewater Flows to the Septic Tank: When the wastewater generated from your home makes its way to the septic tank system, it travels through a single pipeline directly into the septic tank.
Separation Process: The septic tank will act as a kind of filter. The separation of solid matter (sinking to the bottom), and lighter materials (rising to the top) occurs within the septic tank naturally.
Breaking Down Process: The septic tank creates a unique environment where the waste materials begin to break down through a digestive style process. Anaerobic and facultative microorganisms will digest the solids and scum over time, reducing the overall volume of waste materials within the septic tank.
Flow into Drainfield: The effluent (liquid wastewater) will then flow from the septic tank (or tanks) into a series of perforated pipes which are buried within the leach field, chambers, or other designated units designed to release effluent into the soil over time.
Filtration through Soil: The soil acts as a natural filter as it provides an aerobic environment for even more bacteria to grow, which consume other harmful bacteria compositions, viruses, and excess nutrients developed while isolating in the septic tank. Eventually, the filtered water will seep back into the surrounding groundwater, ideally filtered through the natural soil.
Regular maintenance of your septic tank system is required, much like any other area of your home. Routinely checking the septic tank’s sludge levels and overall functionality can prevent issues from developing over time. Septic tank systems should be thoroughly inspected around every 1-3 years depending on household use. The septic tank should be fully pumped every 3-5 years, or as necessary. You’ll want to avoid flushing non-biodegradable materials such as “flushable wipes”, feminine hygiene products, or anything which is not supposed to end up in a septic tank system.
Without a properly functioning septic tank system, you risk issues developing related to your health, your home’s safety, and your overall property value. A properly functioning septic tank system prevents pollutants from accumulating within your groundwater and reduces the risk of raw sewage being discharged within your immediate environment. This in turn can help reduce or eliminate the chances of waterborne disease from developing.
Understanding how your septic tank system works is vital for any homeowner who manages their wastewater treatment. It’s not just about keeping the system running but ensuring it does so in a way that is safe for your health and the environment. Regular maintenance and careful use of water and disposal of waste can extend the life of your septic system and prevent costly repairs. By taking care of your septic system, you’re not only saving money but also contributing to a healthier environment.
Now that you have a decent understanding of how a septic tank system works, you can be a better homeowner. It’s not just about keeping everything running. It’s actually about having a fully optimized septic tank system which will provide a safe, healthy environment for you and your family for many years into the future, regular maintenance and proper inspections can extend the life of your septic tank system, resulting in more efficiency, reduced costs, and an overall properly functional component of your household. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions and be sure to check out all of our septic tank related products by clicking the button below. We look forward to working with you soon!
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