What is a Septic System and How Does it Work?

Septic systems, also known as on-site wastewater treatment systems, are self-contained, underground systems designed to handle wastewater generated within the home. They are usually composed of two basic parts: a septic tank and a drainfield. Septic systems provide an efficient and convenient means of disposing of household wastewater by treating it and returning it safely to the environment.

Septic systems are typically used in areas with limited access to a public sewer system, including many rural and suburban areas. They are the most cost-effective and efficient way to handle wastewater on a small scale. In certain communities, it may even be required by law that households use a septic system.

A septic system is actually quite a simple setup. All wastewater from sinks, toilets and appliances flows into a tank, which has a pipe that carries the wastewater to the surface for irrigation. The tank itself is usually made of a concrete, plastic or fiberglass material. Inside, the tank serves as an anaerobic environment for breaking down solid organic matter and for sediment buildup, which makes the wastewater cleaner and safer to be released back into the environment.

How Septic Systems Work

As wastewater flows into the tank, a separating process begins. Solid contaminants sink to the bottom while oils, grease, and other lighter materials rise to the top and form a layer of scum on the surface. The liquid wastewater, which is now less contaminated, enters the drainfield, also known as leach field or absorption field, through a series of perforated pipes or tiles.

The drainfield is an area of land filled with gravel and soil, where the wastewater can naturally filter out organic matter and pathogens. The system of pipes collects the filtered wastewater and flows them evenly across the entire area in order to ensure proper distribution and avoid any clogging or pooling.

Once in the soil, the wastewater undergoes a natural filtration process, as bacteria and other microorganisms work to break down the organic matter into harmless by-products. This process ultimately renders the wastewater clean and safe for discharge into the environment.

Importance of Regular Septic System Maintenance

Septic systems are designed to operate without any intervention from the homeowner, but regular maintenance is still essential to ensure that the system continues to run smoothly and efficiently. It is important to have the tank inspected and pumped regularly, usually every three to five years – more often for households with a larger population.

Additionally, it is important to practice proper usage, such as never flushing hazardous materials down the toilet, not overloading the system with too much water, and not planting trees, flowers, or any other vegetation in the drainfield area.

Septic systems plays an integral role in handling wastewater, and regular maintenance and care is key to ensuring they are functioning properly. With proper care and maintenance, septic systems can last up to 50 years or more.