If you are a first-time septic system owner in , you probably have questions about the installation in your yard.
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The answers you need are here — in terms that are accessible and easy to understand.
Let's start at square one:
Now that you have the basics under your belt, read on to discover how conventional and advanced septic systems work.
There are two main types of residential septic systems: conventional and advanced. Although their operating principles are often similar, they have different functions and are used in different situations.
A conventional septic system works by collecting wastewater from your toilets and drains. It retains solids and scum in a septic tank and pipes liquids to your septic drain field. In your drain field, bacteria break down wastewater pollutants and treated effluent returns to your property’s soil and groundwater.
That is the high-level answer. For a fuller understanding of how a conventional septic system works, we can break the wastewater treatment process into 10 steps:
An advanced septic system works by receiving wastewater from your septic tank and lowering concentrations of organic matter, suspended solids, pathogens, and, in some cases, nutrients like phosphorus or nitrogen. After treatment, the system discharges effluent downstream, where it eventually returns to your soil, a ditch, or a watercourse.
Advanced septic systems are most often used on properties with:
The biggest difference between conventional and advanced septic systems is where the bulk of treatment takes place. With conventional septic systems, most wastewater pollutants are removed in the septic drain field. With advanced septic systems, most pollutants are removed in the advanced unit before wastewater is returned to the environment.
To add depth to your understanding of how a septic system works, you may want to take a closer look at the functions of its individual parts.
A conventional septic system has four main parts: a pipe that carries wastewater from your home, a septic tank, a pipe that connects your septic tank to your drain field, and the drain field itself.
An advanced septic system often has a similar configuration, but it includes one or more treatment systems installed between your septic tank and the area where clean wastewater is dispersed.
All the plumbing in your home connects to a main sewer line that slopes toward your septic tank. In most cases, the sewer line is constructed from a PVC (plastic) pipe that has a 4” diameter.
When you flush your toilet, take a shower, wash clothes, or do the dishes, wastewater enters the sewer line and flows into your septic tank.
A septic tank is an underground and watertight container made of concrete, polyethylene, fiberglass, or steel. It provides primary wastewater treatment with the help of naturally occurring bacteria that break down solids and organic material. The tank then pipes partially clarified effluent downstream for further treatment or final dispersal.
Less common names for a septic tank include:
A septic tank may seem complicated, but the way it works is actually quite simple. It holds wastewater long enough for it to separate into three layers:
A septic tank inlet baffle is a device that directs raw wastewater downward to the mid-level of your septic tank. This design keeps surface scum from clogging the inlet pipe. It also reduces wastewater agitation, which makes it easier for solids to settle on the bottom of the tank.
A septic tank baffle wall (sometimes called a partition wall or divider wall) separates compartments in your septic tank. The wall keeps most floating scum and settled solids in the first compartment. It also has an opening that allows liquid wastewater to flow to the next section of the tank.
The number of baffle walls depends on the number of compartments in your septic tank. Tanks with three compartments have two baffle walls. Tanks with two compartments have one baffle wall, and single-chamber tanks have no baffle wall at all.
An outlet baffle is a device that directs wastewater from the mid-level of your septic tank to the pipe that leads to your drain field. This design keeps sludge and scum from leaving the tank, which prevents them from clogging your outlet pipe or drain field.
An effluent filter is a cylindrical device installed in the septic tank outlet baffle. It traps suspended solids (fine particles) that would otherwise clog your septic drain field. Because it protects a drain field so effectively, some jurisdictions require this type of filter to be installed in new septic tanks.
Effluent filters need to be regularly cleaned. The exact timing depends on the design of your septic tank and how much you use it. As a minimum, we recommend that you ask a septic professional to clean your filter every time they pump your tank.
A septic tank vent allows gases to safely escape your septic tank.
Bacteria in your tank generate gases as they break down wastewater contaminants. The most common is hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs. These gases must be released to prevent a build-up of pressure that could stop or reverse the flow of wastewater.
There are three main strategies for septic tank venting:
An access port is a covered opening on top of your septic tank. Most tanks have two openings — one above the inlet baffle and one above the outlet baffle. They allow septic professionals to pump your tank and they provide easy access to important components, including the effluent filter.
A septic tank riser is a shaft made from concrete, polyethylene, or fiberglass. When your septic tank’s access ports are below ground level, you can install a riser to bridge the gap and allow entry into your system. Otherwise, you would have to excavate the tank’s lids before every pump-out.
When raw wastewater enters your septic tank, an equal volume of liquid exits through an outlet pipe that leads to an advanced treatment system or your drain field. The outlet pipe is most often made with PVC (plastic) with a 4” diameter.
If your property has uneven terrain, such as slopes or embankments, then gravity alone may not be enough to move wastewater through the outlet pipe. Your septic system will need to include a pump station (often called a lift station) that pressurizes the flow of wastewater from your septic tank.
An advanced septic system (sometimes called an engineered septic system) is a secondary treatment unit that removes wastewater contaminants before discharging treated effluent to your drain field, a ditch, or a watercourse.
There is a wide range of advanced septic systems on the market, all with unique designs and components. Despite the differences, we can still break the most popular systems and their parts into two main categories:
If you have an advanced treatment system, it may be fitted with an outlet pipe that directs treated wastewater downstream for additional purification or final dispersal. The outlet pipe is usually made from PVC (plastic). The diameter of the pipe varies according to the configuration of your system and how it disperses treated wastewater.
If gravity alone cannot move wastewater through the outlet pipe, you will need a pump station that pressurizes the flow between your septic system components.
A septic drain field, also known as a leach field, is an underground network of perforated pipes that receives wastewater from your septic tank. Wastewater that trickles through the drain field undergoes a final treatment process that removes pollutants. Treated wastewater then returns to the groundwater below.
Other common terms for a septic drain field or leach field include:
A septic drain field accepts, treats, and disperses wastewater. After wastewater seeps through the perforated pipes in your drain field, it percolates through a bed of gravel and then into your native soil. Bacteria in these layers break down contaminants and, ultimately, clean wastewater is discharged into groundwater.
A septic drain field is usually 36” to 48” deep. In most installations, there is an 18” to 30” layer of backfill that sits on 2” of gravel. This gravel protects perforated pipes with a 4” diameter. Under these pipes is a 12” layer of more gravel.
The length of septic drain field lines depends on local regulations and the requirements of your property. For large installations, a field’s perforated pipes may be up to 100’ long. In most cases, there is a gap of 6’ or more between each pipe.
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People often ask if it is possible to have a septic system without a drain field. The answer depends on the type of system you choose to install.
A conventional septic system requires a drain field to properly remove wastewater contaminants and return treated effluent to your soil and groundwater.
The problem is that some properties lack space for a conventional drain field, or their soils are unsuitable for wastewater treatment. If you find yourself in this situation, you may be able to install one or more advanced technologies that match or beat the treatment performance of a traditional system.
These advanced technologies may include:
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Quick Takeaways
Wastewater treatment plants clean dirty water from homes, businesses, and factories before returning it to the environment. This process removes harmful substances and makes the water safe. Though there are different types of treatment plants, the basic process remains the same. There are three main stages:
Once the water goes down the drain, its next stop is the treatment plant.
Wastewater treatment plants clean water used by residential properties and businesses. Referred to as “input” or “influent,” this water is collected within a radius around the plant. This is known as a catchment area. The size of the catchment area is determined by population. In an urban setting, the catchment area is small but highly concentrated. In rural locations, the catchment area covers more ground.
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Input is water flushed into the sewage system, which includes all organic and inorganic matter. It also comprises stormwater, which washes material into storm drains after heavy weather.
Not all influent arrives at the plant untreated. Some businesses perform pretreatment processes before releasing water. However, water from residential properties is largely untreated.
After the input has arrived at the plant, it is time to begin primary treatment.
The primary treatment stage is the first and most comprehensive stop on the input water’s journey. The water will interact with a series of equipment, which includes:
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After the sentiment tank, the wastewater is considered treated. However, for safe water quality, more treatment is needed. The water must pass through a secondary treatment process to meet EPA safety standards.
The second phase of wastewater treatment involves organic cleansing.
The activated sludge tank is the first component of secondary treatment. In it, wastewater is mixed with organic sludge. This sludge is activated by pumping air into the mixture, which strengthens bacteria. The bacteria consume contaminants, becoming the perfect natural filter. Because the sludge is denser than water, it settles at the bottom of the tank- naturally separating.
Fortunately, activated sludge has a tremendous secondary purpose. The sludge, created from the input water’s waste, is removed, processed, and dried. It is then applied in various applications. Sludge is an excellent contribution to the environment.
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Finally, a chemical approach is taken to ensure the cleanest possible output.
The treated water now moves to yet another sedimentation tank. Here, any leftover bacteria is removed. Disinfection with chlorine and other solutions further extracts harmful bacteria and pathogens.
Once the primary, secondary, and tertiary phases are complete, water flows out of the treatment plant. This water is the output, or “effluent.”
After treatment, the effluent water is released into receiving channels and distributed among the local water table. A wastewater treatment plant aims not to break the natural water cycle but to keep it moving safely.
According to ScienceDirect, up to 99% of harmful materials are removed during treatment. Only extremely low concentrations of unwanted materials remain in the water. Not enough to pose a risk to human communities or local ecosystems. A perfect method has yet to be developed for wastewater treatment plants. Some materials will always remain, but testing shows that the effluent water is no longer harmful.
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When treated correctly, water does not pollute the local water table. It also protects nearby ecosystems and is fit for human use. The phases of treatment remove harmful pathogens and contaminants, but only if wastewater treatment plants use the right products.
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