A Septic system is defined as an on-site waste water treatment system. A septic system usually consists of a tank, where the biological breakdown of waste occurs, and a drain field which allows liquid to soak into the ground.
Proper installation design and maintenance of your septic system will maximize its life and prevent failures, which can be not only unsightly but foul-smelling and a threat to your health. Proper maintenance lowers the risk of contaminating well water and can prevent costly repairs and replacement. An inspection of your septic tank may be required by lenders when you refinance or sell your home. The cost of repair typically falls to the seller. Maintaining your septic system will save you money in the long term!
The septic tank is a water tight underground box, generally made of concrete, and typically 4 x 8 x 5 feet. A standard septic tank will have a 1000 gallon capacity for retaining, storing, and treating solid waste, and releases effluent into the drain field. In the tank are billions of bacteria that break down the waste, which produces gasses that are released through a plumbing vent.
As waste water flows into the tank, solids settle to the bottom, and grease and fats float to the top. Between these two layers is a clear zone of liquid called the clarified zone, which is released into the leach field.
Septic drain fields, or leach fields, are used to remove contaminants and impurities from water after it flows out of the septic tank. This is typically done by running perforated pipes in trenches where the liquid seeps out. The surrounding soil absorbs and filters the water. The design of a drain field depends on the predicted amount of use the septic system will have, the type of soil it's built in, and local regulations.
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