How does Septic System Work?

1. How Septic Systems Work? Image Source:http://www.aero-stream.com/septic-system-owners-manual.html A septic tank is a primary treatment system that is, treatment of wastewater is minimal and involves only separation of solids and some preliminary anaerobic (means without oxygen) action. The main purpose of a septic tank is to collect household wastes (such soapy water from the laundry and the bath, thrown away food scraps and wastes, etc.). The solids settle to the bottom of the tank and the liquid passes into the leaching system, where it seeps out and is absorbed into the soil. Bacteria in the soil then remove some of the filths from the liquid wastes. When septic tank systems are incorrectly designed or maintained, excesses of liquid wastes to the ground surface will happen often. Not only do these overflows create unpleasant odors but may also bring a health risk. Because it contains the germs of dysentery and typhoid fever which are excellent breeding places for certain species of mosquito and other disease-carrying insects. They are mostly a great threat to children and pets that are playing on the property. A properly constructed well-designed and satisfactorily sustained septic tank system services can function as home and as suitably as a city sewer.

2. On the other hand, a system which does not receive the care and attention it deserves can become a burden-some cost to a home owners. It is well to remember, too, that a septic tank system which wrongly functions can become a neighborhood health hazard. Full story at http://www.rutlandsanitation.com/septictankcare/ Related Links: http://www.level.org.nz/water/wastewater/on-site-wastewater-treatment/septic-tanks/ http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/subpages/septic_defined.cfm