How a Septic System Works

Living away from metropolitan areas has many advantages; Less traffic, lower population density and a simpler way of life. Unfortunately, “country living” does come with disadvantages. People living in rural areas are often outside the reach of public sewage systems, leaving them to depend on septic systems for waste disposal.

Types of Systems

There are three types of systems used;

• anaerobic (septic)
• aerobic lagoon
• hybrid aerobic/anaerobic system

The hybrid system is rarely used due to mechanical/electrical components it employs. The anaerobic septic system is the most commonly used. It consists of three main components; tank, distribution box and leach field (drainage field).

Waste Leaving the House

Waste leaves the house through gravitational force and enters the tank through a 4-inch pipe. While in the tank the waste is separated into three by-products; bottom sludge, surface scum and a middle layer of effluent. The sludge and scum are partial broken down by natural occurring anaerobic bacteria in human waste. However, not all the solids will be digested, so the tank will need to be pumped out every three or four years.

From the Tank Out

As waste water enter the tank, an equal amount of effluent liquid exits into the distribution box. The nitrogen rich effluent then leaves the distribution box and enters the leach field. In the leach field the effluent is broken down by another digestion process. The catalyst of this process is natural microbes contained in the top two-feet of soil. About 60 percent of the water is then evaporated , the rest being absorbed by soil or plants.