Basics
A septic system is a highly efficient, self-contained, underground wastewater treatment system. A conventional gravity system consists of two main parts: a septic tank and a drainfield. The septic tank is a watertight box, usually made of concrete or fiberglass, with an inlet and outlet pipe. Wastewater flows from the home to the septic tank through the sewer pipe. The septic tank treats the wastewater naturally by holding it in the tank long enough for solids and liquids to separate. The wastewater forms three layers inside the tank. Solids lighter than water (such as greases / oils) float to the top forming a layer of scum. Solids heavier than water settle at the bottom of the tank forming a layer of sludge. This leaves a middle layer of partially clarified wastewater. The layers of sludge and scum remain in the septic tank where bacteria found naturally in the wastewater work to break the solids down. The sludge and scum that cannot be broken down are retained in the tank until the tank is pumped. The middle layer of clarified liquid flows from the septic tank to the drainfield or to a distribution device which helps to uniformly distribute the wastewater in trench systems. A standard drainfield (also known as a leachfield, disposal field, or a soil absorption system) is a series of trenches (3" wide) or a bed (over 3', up to 10 " wide) lined with gravel or course sand and buried one to three feet below the ground surface. Perforated pipes run through the trenches or bed to distribute the wastewater. The drainfield treats the wastewater by allowing it to slowly trickle from the pipes out into the gravel and down into the native soil. The gravel and soil act as biological filters.
Septic System Maintenance
If you own a septic system, it's important that it is properly maintained. How often you need to pump the solids out of your septic tank depends on these factors:
• The number of people in your home
• The amount of wastewater generated (which is based on the number of people in the home and the amount of water they use)
• The volume of solids in the wastewater (using a garbage disposal will increase the amount of solids).
Although your septic tank absorption field generally does not require maintenance, you should follow these guidelines to protect and prolong its life:
• Don"t drive over the drainfield with cars, trucks, or heavy equipment.
• Don't plant trees or shrubbery in the drainfield area, the roots can grow into the drainfields pipes/orifices and plug them.
• Don't cover the drainfield with hard surfaces, (concrete / asphalt). Grass is the best cover, because it helps prevent erosion and helps remove excess water.
• Divert surface runoff water from roofs, patios, driveways, and other areas away from the drainfield.
Objects not to be flushed or put into the Septic System
• hair combings, coffee grounds, dental floss, string, disposable diapers, cat litter, sanitary napkins, tampons, cigarette butts, bandages, fat, grease, oil, paper towels, rags, metal objects, chicken/steak bones, condoms, home brewery waste, plastics, automotive fluids, melon rinds or corn cobs.
and NEVER flush chemicals that could contaminate surface and groundwater, such as:
• paints, varnishes, thinners, waste oils, photographic solutions, or pesticides.
These items can overtax or destroy the biological digestion taking place within the system or clog pumps and pipes.
Septic Tank Safety Tips
• Never lean over a septic tanks opening or stick your head into tank to examine its interior. You could become overcome by gases, fall into the tank, and suffocate.
• Never enter a septic tank unless you are specially trained and are wearing special equipment and gear for that purpose, including a self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Do not go into a septic tank to retrieve someone who has fallen in and was overcome by gases unless you are equipped with a self-contained breathing apparatus. Instead, call for emergency services and put one or more fans at the top of the septic tank to blow in fresh air.
• Never work alone in or around a septic tank.
• Don't ignite flames or smoke cigarettes at or near the tank. This can cause an explosion.
• Be sure that the tank and its access ports have sound and secure covers that do not risk collapse and cannot be removed or nudged aside by children or animals.
• Beware of old, collapsing septic systems. Abandoned septic tanks with unsafe covers have caused deaths among children, adults, pets, horses, and livestock. Watch out for evidence of sinking soil, rusted-through steel septic tank covers, home-made wooden or flimsy tank covers, or home made cesspools and drywells which risk collapse.
• Watch for electrical hazards when digging outdoors. Watch out that you don't dig into and cut an electrical wire (or other buried mechanical line such as a gas or water line).
• Rope off and mark dangerous sites.
• Be alert for unsanitary conditions such as surface effluent or sewage backups into buildings, which may expose your family to serious viral and bacterial hazards.
A septic system is a highly efficient, self-contained, underground wastewater treatment system. A conventional gravity system consists of two main parts: a septic tank and a drainfield. The septic tank is a watertight box, usually made of concrete or fiberglass, with an inlet and outlet pipe. Wastewater flows from the home to the septic tank through the sewer pipe. The septic tank treats the wastewater naturally by holding it in the tank long enough for solids and liquids to separate. The wastewater forms three layers inside the tank. Solids lighter than water (such as greases / oils) float to the top forming a layer of scum. Solids heavier than water settle at the bottom of the tank forming a layer of sludge. This leaves a middle layer of partially clarified wastewater. The layers of sludge and scum remain in the septic tank where bacteria found naturally in the wastewater work to break the solids down. The sludge and scum that cannot be broken down are retained in the tank until the tank is pumped. The middle layer of clarified liquid flows from the septic tank to the drainfield or to a distribution device which helps to uniformly distribute the wastewater in trench systems. A standard drainfield (also known as a leachfield, disposal field, or a soil absorption system) is a series of trenches (3" wide) or a bed (over 3', up to 10 " wide) lined with gravel or course sand and buried one to three feet below the ground surface. Perforated pipes run through the trenches or bed to distribute the wastewater. The drainfield treats the wastewater by allowing it to slowly trickle from the pipes out into the gravel and down into the native soil. The gravel and soil act as biological filters.
Septic System Maintenance
If you own a septic system, it's important that it is properly maintained. How often you need to pump the solids out of your septic tank depends on these factors:
• The number of people in your home
• The amount of wastewater generated (which is based on the number of people in the home and the amount of water they use)
• The volume of solids in the wastewater (using a garbage disposal will increase the amount of solids).
Although your septic tank absorption field generally does not require maintenance, you should follow these guidelines to protect and prolong its life:
• Don"t drive over the drainfield with cars, trucks, or heavy equipment.
• Don't plant trees or shrubbery in the drainfield area, the roots can grow into the drainfields pipes/orifices and plug them.
• Don't cover the drainfield with hard surfaces, (concrete / asphalt). Grass is the best cover, because it helps prevent erosion and helps remove excess water.
• Divert surface runoff water from roofs, patios, driveways, and other areas away from the drainfield.
Objects not to be flushed or put into the Septic System
• hair combings, coffee grounds, dental floss, string, disposable diapers, cat litter, sanitary napkins, tampons, cigarette butts, bandages, fat, grease, oil, paper towels, rags, metal objects, chicken/steak bones, condoms, home brewery waste, plastics, automotive fluids, melon rinds or corn cobs.
and NEVER flush chemicals that could contaminate surface and groundwater, such as:
• paints, varnishes, thinners, waste oils, photographic solutions, or pesticides.
These items can overtax or destroy the biological digestion taking place within the system or clog pumps and pipes.
Septic Tank Safety Tips
• Never lean over a septic tanks opening or stick your head into tank to examine its interior. You could become overcome by gases, fall into the tank, and suffocate.
• Never enter a septic tank unless you are specially trained and are wearing special equipment and gear for that purpose, including a self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Do not go into a septic tank to retrieve someone who has fallen in and was overcome by gases unless you are equipped with a self-contained breathing apparatus. Instead, call for emergency services and put one or more fans at the top of the septic tank to blow in fresh air.
• Never work alone in or around a septic tank.
• Don't ignite flames or smoke cigarettes at or near the tank. This can cause an explosion.
• Be sure that the tank and its access ports have sound and secure covers that do not risk collapse and cannot be removed or nudged aside by children or animals.
• Beware of old, collapsing septic systems. Abandoned septic tanks with unsafe covers have caused deaths among children, adults, pets, horses, and livestock. Watch out for evidence of sinking soil, rusted-through steel septic tank covers, home-made wooden or flimsy tank covers, or home made cesspools and drywells which risk collapse.
• Watch for electrical hazards when digging outdoors. Watch out that you don't dig into and cut an electrical wire (or other buried mechanical line such as a gas or water line).
• Rope off and mark dangerous sites.
• Be alert for unsanitary conditions such as surface effluent or sewage backups into buildings, which may expose your family to serious viral and bacterial hazards.