Residential Septic System
Traditional residential septic systems use leach fields and the underlying soil to help treat wastewater.
Residential septic system. In its basic form a septic system consists of a septic tank where solids settle and decompose and a drainfield where liquid discharged from the tank is treated by bacteria in the soil. Average costs and comments from costhelper s team of professional journalists and community of users. These factors include household size soil type site slope lot size proximity to sensitive water bodies weather conditions or even local regulations. Following a few simple rules like not using too much water and not.
However the leach field the underground area where all of the sewage drainpipes are located will most likely require some treatment or perhaps replacement after about 15 to 20 years of service. An explanation of the five basic processes in wastewater treatment. The average household septic system should be inspected at least every three years by a septic service professional. Insert the short end of the l shaped pipe into the manhole of your tank until it makes contact with the top of the liquid in the tank with the long side sticking straight up.
A septic system is the most common method of sewage treatment for homes and businesses that are not connected to an area wide sewage system. Five types of residential septic wastewater treatment processes are described. The septic tank digests organic matter and separates floatable matter e g oils and grease and solids from the wastewater. A septic system is reasonably maintenance free.
Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. Insert the pipe into the septic system until it contacts the scum. A typical septic system consists of a septic tank and a drainfield or soil absorption field. Alternative systems with electrical float switches pumps or mechanical components should be inspected more often generally once a year.
Although this treatment process can be effective it often contaminates the surrounding groundwater. The system consists of a large septic tank drainfield also called a leach field the network of perforated pipes that spread out from the septic tank and release out the filtered. Aerobic wastewater treatment anoxic wastewater treatment anaerobic wastewater treatment combined wastewater treatment methods pond wastewater treatment processes. How much a septic system should cost.
Septic system design and size can vary widely from within your neighborhood to across the country due to a combination of factors. Mechanical filtration biological. Soil based systems discharge the liquid known as effluent from the septic tank into a series of perforated pipes buried in a. Worse still excessive buildup can clog nearby soil which eventually causes the entire septic system to break down.
Installing replacing a conventional septic system including the tank averages 2 000 5 000 in the midwest but can be 4 000 12 000 or more in areas where materials and labor rates are higher.