What Is A Septic System?
A septic system is a type of home wastewater system. Unlike sewer systems that feed into a larger wastewater system, septic systems are entirely self-contained and do not feed into a larger sewer network.
How Does A Septic System Work (Septic Tank with Leach Field)?
A septic system is designed pretty simply. It normally consists of a septic tank and a lateral line system or leach field, but there are a few other designs out there.
The septic tank itself is generally made of concrete and holds on average a volume of 1,500 gallons. The septic tank is the first stop for your waste after it leaves your home by being flushed down a toilet or washed down a drain. Once your waste enters the tank, the beneficial bacteria inside your tank begin to break it down. During the breakdown process, waste is separated into scum and sludge.
The scum layer generally floats to the top of the tank and consists mostly of fats, oils, and grease. On the other hand, the sludge layer generally sinks to the bottom of the tank. For the most part, it’s made up of proteins, carbohydrates, and undigested solids. After the scum and sludge have been separated, the remaining wastewater flows out of the septic tank and into the septic field (or leach field). The septic field is generally a large space (typically in your backyard) where several lateral lines are buried under the ground and extend out from the septic tank.
The lateral lines are long pieces of tubing, typically made of PVC, that are perforated with small holes. The lateral lines normally have a layer of gravel between them and the native soil below. The liquid from the septic system runs through these lateral lines and seeps out through the small holes. A substance called biomat builds up around these exit holes. Biomat also contains bacteria that continue to break down any remaining waste that might be left in the wastewater from your septic tank.
Once the liquid exits through the lateral lines and passes through the biomat layer, it seeps (or “leaches”) into the soil and eventually makes its way back into the groundwater as clean water.
What Kinds Of Septic Systems are there?
There are several types of septic systems out there. Knowing the type of septic system you have will help you keep things clean and flowing.
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Septic Tank with Leach Field
The majority of septic systems installed are septic tank with field. This is the type of system we’ve been talking about so far in this article. As mentioned, this type of system works by collecting the waste in a large septic tank where beneficial bacteria break down the waste, separating it into scum, sludge, and leftover wastewater liquid. The scum and sludge remain in the tank while the wastewater flows out into the septic field, where it’s dispersed back into the ground water as clean water.
Septic Tank with Seepage Pit
With this type of system, the waste is collected in a large tank where bacterial processes break down the waste and separate it into scum, sludge, and wastewater. The scum and sludge remain in the tank while the liquid waste flows out into a large seepage pit. This pit has a series of perforations in it that allow the liquid to flow out and into the ground.
The main difference between this system and a traditional septic system is that a seepage pit allows the liquid to seep deeper into the ground instead of across a large field like in a traditional septic system. These systems are best suited for homeowners who do not have large amounts of open space where a septic field could be installed.
Septic Tank with Lagoon
In a septic system that feeds out into a lagoon, the waste is collected in a large septic tank where the bacteria break the waste down – just like other systems. However, when the liquid waste exits the tank, it flows out into a lagoon or pond-like body of water.
Aerobic System
Aerobic systems pump oxygen into a waste tank to increase the activity of aerobic bacteria. Without this oxygen influx, a normal septic system will have increased activity of anaerobic bacteria (aka “bad” bacteria that stink). Anaerobic bacteria are often less efficient than their aerobic cousins. In the big picture, this means that the effluent (or the wastewater that flows out of the septic tank) from an aerobic system is significantly “cleaner” than the effluent from a regular septic system. Cleaner effluent means that the drain field won’t have to perform as much filtration, which means that you might not have to do as much maintenance on your system as a whole.
How Do I Determine If I Am On A Septic System? And If So, What Type?
If you are not sure if you have a septic system operating or not, there are a few things that might indicate that you do indeed have a septic system. Here are some common indicators:
- Do you live in a rural location? Many rural locations do not tie into sewer system, so individual septic systems tend to be more popular in rural locations.
- Are there any visible lids or risers in your backyard or fields around your home? These are typically access points to your septic tank and can also be indicators of a septic system.
- Can you see a stand pipe in your backyard/field? This pipe is also an indicator that there is a septic system tied into your home plumbing.
- Are you on a well? Many homes that are on a well also use a septic system as their main mode of waste removal.
All of these items can be indicators that you’re on a septic system. But please note that it’s considered a best practice to contact a septic inspector and schedule a property inspection. This inspection will tell you if you do indeed have a septic system and what type it is.