Septic Tank Systems

Septic tank systems are used when sewage treatment plants are not accessible. Many rural and suburban homes use septic tank systems. Septic tank systems safely treat and dispose of wastewater produced in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry.

Septic tank systems are an effective, long-standing solution for collecting, treating, and disposing of sewage from rural and suburban homes. The septic tank is a preformed, watertight concrete box that is buried in the ground outside the home. Typically, designed for 1,000 gallon liquid capacity, the number of bedrooms in the home determines the necessary size of the tank.

A pipe is buried in the ground to bring the wastewater from the house to the septic tank. A leach field consists of two to five trenches in the subsoil. Wastewater is moved into the trench. The area must be landscaped to keep surface waters from settling over the drain field.

The leach filed delivers the wastewater to the soil. The soil purifies that wastewater by removing germs and chemicals before the reach the groundwater or other local water surface waters such as rivers, lakes and estuaries.

Septic Tank System Maintenance -

Use the proper size system for your home. Typical water use is about 50 gallons per day for each person in the family.
Refrain from adding other wastes to the septic tank system. Restrict chemicals, sanitary napkins, applicators, etc.
Restrict the use of your garbage disposal.
Do not pour grease or cooking oils down the sink drain.
Create a diagram showing the location of your tank leach field and access points.
Regularly have the solids pumped out of the septic tank.
Maintain adequate vegetative cover over the leach field.
Keep surface waters away from the tank and leach field.
Automobiles and heavy equipment must be kept off the system.
No building additions, pools, driveways, or other construction work near the septic system or the repair area.