How Do Septic Systems Work?

A septic system is a non-centralized wastewater treatment system commonly used in rural areas where municipal solid waste treatment facilities aren’t available. It's comprised of several main components: the septic tank, distribution box, and leach field (also known as a drain field).

Here's how it works:

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Septic Tank: Wastewater from your home or office flows into a underground tank made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic. Inside the septic tank, solid waste settles to the bottom forming a layer of sludge, while oils and grease float to the top creating a scum layer. Bacteria in the tank partially decompose the solids, reducing their volume. The remaining liquid, known as effluent, flows out of the tank into the next component.

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Distribution Box: The distribution box is a small chamber that receives the effluent from the septic tank and evenly distributes it into multiple perforated pipes or distribution lines buried in the leach field.

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Drain Field: A drain field consists of a series of buried perforated septic pipes back filled with gravel or aggregate, and sometimes with soil. The processed wastewater flows from the distribution box into these septic pipes, where it gradually seeps out through the soil. The soil acts as a filtration system, removing harmful contaminants as the process wastewater moves through it. Eventually, the treated wastewater is leached into the groundwater or evaporates into the air.

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Septic System Insights from Prusinski Plumbing!

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Bacterial Action: Bacteria plays a key role in breaking down the solid waste within a septic tank. These bacteria within your septic tank are naturally occurring and grow in oxygen deprived septic tanks, helping to decompose organic solid waste matter.

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Maintenance: Regular septic system maintenance is essential to keep a septic system functioning a maximum performance. This includes scheduled septic pumping of the septic tank to remove accumulated sludge and scum, as well as avoiding the disposal of harmful substances like grease, chemicals, or non-biodegradable materials into the system.

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Septic Design Considerations: The size and design of a septic system depend on factors such as the size of the household, soil type, groundwater level, and local regulations. Proper sizing and siting are critical to ensure effective treatment and prevent environmental contamination.

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Overall, a septic system provides an efficient and cost-effective way to treat wastewater in rural areas without access to municipal sewer systems, but it requires proper maintenance and care to function effectively with the least amount of environmental impact to ground water and habitat.