Septic Tank
A septic tank is a large concrete box that holds household wastewater. Solid waste sinks to the bottom and undergoes bacterial digestion to form sludge. Fats float to the top as a scum layer that gets periodically pumped off.
Bacteria break down wastewater contaminants to produce gases, including hydrogen sulfide, that smell like rotten eggs. A full septic tank lets these gases leak into the home and can damage the drain field of the soil absorption system. Contact Septic Tank Armadale now!
Wastewater flows from the plumbing of a house into the septic tank where it is held long enough for solids to settle to the bottom and oil to float to the surface. The liquid wastewater (effluent) then leaves the septic tank through a pipe into a septic drain field.
A septic system is an alternative to sewers for homes in rural or suburban locations that are not connected to the public (centralized) sewer system. Most septic systems are designed to service the sewage and wastewater needs of a single house or a group of houses that are located close together in a suburban or rural area.
The septic tank is typically made of concrete or plastic. It is designed to hold between 4,500 and 7,500 litres (1,000 and 2,000 gallons) of wastewater. The septic tank has an inlet wastewater pipe and an outlet septic drain field pipe. Ideally, the inlet and outlet pipes are spaced apart to prevent their accidental connection during operation.
Bacteria in the septic tank break down and treat the contaminants in the wastewater. These bacteria are aerobic, which means they thrive in oxygen-rich environments. As the bacteria decompose the sewage, they produce gases. To control the release of these gases, most septic tanks are fitted with a vent that opens in the roof of the tank. This is usually a mushroom-shaped vent that can be fitted with a charcoal filter to further reduce odors.
Some septic tanks are configured to deliver the effluent directly into a drain field. This is a common system for rural areas that have soil conditions suitable for direct treatment. However, if this type of system is installed in a water resource protection zone, the installation and operation are subject to stringent environmental requirements.
Other septic tanks are configured to pump the wastewater to a constructed sand mound or drip distribution system after a timed dose of treatment. This treatment system is a good choice for sites with shallow soil depth or high groundwater levels. The mound and drip laterals are partially filled with washed gravel, stone or a gravelless product to facilitate biological treatment of the wastewater in the absorption field.
Wastewater Treatment
A septic tank is a buried, water-tight container made of concrete, fiberglass or polymers that holds sewage long enough to separate solid waste from liquid. The heavier, solid materials sink to the bottom and undergo bacterial digestion to create sludge. Oils and grease float to the top as scum. The wastewater, or effluent, flows from the septic tank into a series of perforated pipes buried in a drainage field, absorption area, leach field, or constructed wetlands.
During this second phase of treatment, bacteria in the soil reduce pathogens and nutrients in the wastewater. In addition to removing disease-causing organisms, these microbes also convert nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients into organic material that can be absorbed by the groundwater.
In order for this process to work, the tank must be properly sized and located. It should be big enough to process the daily waste from your home, without overloading it.
If the septic tank gets too full, the solid waste will overflow into the drain field and clog it. This could lead to sewage backups in toilets and bathtubs. It may also pollute groundwater and surface waters.
To prevent this from happening, you should keep the number of people in your household low and limit the amount of water used. You can do this by installing efficient showerheads and faucets and washing clothes over a few days instead of back-to-back. You should also add 8 to 12-inches of mulch around your septic tank, pipes and drain field. This will help keep the soil around it loose and prevent it from compacting, which can cause the system to fail.
In some cases, the septic tank will become full before the bacteria have time to digest all of the sludge. When this happens, the septic tank will overflow into the drain field and expose humans and animals to disease-causing organisms in the sewage.
In these cases, you should hire a professional to clean your septic tank before the bacteria have time to digest the remaining sludge. The plumber will remove the sludge and disinfect the septic tank, ensuring that it is ready for the next step of treatment.
Drain Field
A drain field or leach field is the part of a septic system that discharges wastewater into the soil. It is made up of perforated pipes or gravel-filled trenches that allow effluent to flow into the ground without clogging. During this process, harmful bacteria and excessive nutrients are naturally filtered by the surrounding soil. It also prevents surface and groundwater contamination by preventing wastewater from flowing directly into water sources.
The lifespan of a septic drain field depends on several factors, including proper maintenance and soil conditions. By implementing best practices and avoiding improper usage, homeowners can extend the functionality of their septic systems. Regular septic tank pumping ensures that only wastewater is discharged into the drain field, reducing clogging and improving filtration.
As sewage flows into the septic tank, it undergoes biochemical treatment. During this process, organic materials like fats, oils, and grease float to the top while solid waste sinks to the bottom. A small baffle separates these two layers so that only the resulting liquid is discharged into the drain field. However, if too much sludge and scum build up inside the septic tank, solids may enter the drain field, clogging the pipes and inhibiting soil absorption.
Similarly, drain fields can be damaged by excessive rainfall or improper site grading. Covering the area with impermeable surfaces such as driveways, playgrounds, or parking areas can also negatively impact their performance and lifespan.
In addition, it is important to avoid putting any non-organic materials into the drain field. Items such as metals, paper, and plastics can contaminate the effluent that is released into the soil. Lastly, it is crucial to never plant vegetables or plants with edible flowers in the septic drain field because they can introduce dangerous microbes into the effluent.
Common signs of a malfunctioning drain field include slow-draining sinks, toilets, and showers, as well as odors around the septic system area. Standing water in the drain field is another sign of failure that needs to be addressed immediately as it can cause bacterial and viral contamination of nearby groundwater.
Pumping
Generally, a septic tank is just a large concrete box that houses the waste from your toilets. Inside it are bacteria and yeasts that break down the sewage. The wastewater is then released into a perforated absorption field in your backyard. The septic system does not need to be treated with chemicals, but it does need to be maintained. The best way to do this is to get the septic tank pumped on a regular basis. It will also help if you minimize the amount of water that goes down your drains.
A septic tank that does not get pumped on a regular basis can become filled with solids that are too large to decompose. This can clog the absorption field and damage the septic tank. It is recommended that a septic tank be pumped every three to five years, depending on the number of people living in the home and the size of the septic tank. A professional septic service will pump the septic tank, clean the baffles and dividing wall, and inspect the tank for any structural problems or signs of leakage.
The bacteria and yeasts in your septic tank produce gases as they break down the waste. These gases need to be vented out of the septic tank to prevent a buildup of pressure that could stop or reverse the flow of wastewater. The most common gas is hydrogen sulfide, which has a strong odor of rotten eggs. A vent pipe in the septic tank lid allows for this release.
The inlet and outlet tees of your septic tank are located beneath the scum layer and above the sludge layer. When you flush a toilet, hydraulic pressure is created that pushes the wastewater up through these tees and out into the absorption field. It is important to reduce the amount of slow biodegradable organic and non-biodegradable solids that are added to the septic tank as this will decrease the need for frequent pumping. Some ways to do this are to:
