What is a septic system?

A septic system is a highly efficient, self-contained, underground wastewater treatment system. Because septic systems treat and dispose of household wastewater onsite, they are often more economical than centralized sewer systems in rural areas where lot sizes are larger and houses are spaced widely apart.

Septic systems are also simple in design, which make them generally less expensive to install and maintain. And by using natural processes to treat the wastewater onsite, usually in a homeowner's backyard, septic systems don't require the installation of miles of sewer lines, making them less disruptive to the environment.

A septic system consists of two main parts: a septic tank and a drainfield. The septic tank is a watertight box, usually made of concrete or fiberglass, with an inlet and outlet pipe. Wastewater flows from the home to the septic tank through the sewer pipe. The septic tank treats the wastewater naturally by holding it in the tank long enough for solids and liquids to separate. The wastewater forms three layers inside the tank. Solids lighter than water (such as greases and oils) float to the top forming a layer of scum. Solids heavier than water settle at the bottom of the tank forming a layer of sludge. This leaves a middle layer of partially clarified wastewater.

The layers of sludge and scum remain in the septic tank where bacteria found naturally in the wastewater work to break the solids down. The sludge and scum that cannot be broken down are retained in the tank until the tank is pumped.

The layer of clarified liquid flows from the septic tank to the drainfield or to a distribution device, which helps to uniformly distribute the wastewater in the drainfield. A standard drainfield (also known as a leachfield, disposal field, or a soil absorption system) is a series of trenches or a bed lined with gravel or course sand and buried one to three feet below the ground surface. Perforated pipes or drain tiles run through the trenches to distribute the wastewater. The drainfield treats the wastewater by allowing it to slowly trickle from the pipes out into the gravel and down through the soil. The gravel and soil act as biological filters.

Do's

• Spread out laundry over several days. Doing all of your laundry on one day can put more water into the system than it can treat.
• Use only biodegradable soaps and cleaning agents.
• Spend less time in the shower with the water running. Long showers can attribute to excess water usage.
• If your system has a splitter (diverter) box, make the adjustment to alternate the usage of your leach lines once yearly.

• Don't pour cooking or any other kind of oil or grease down the drains or toilet.
• Don't put any paints or solvents of any kind down your drains, not even water based paints.
• Don't flush anything down the toilet except toilet tissue and what ever you have already eaten. This should be a strict rule.
• Don't neglect your septic system. It is your onsite wastewater treatment plant. Having city sewers comes with a sewer tax. While you have the benefit of not paying that tax, you have the responsibility to maintain your treatment plant.
• Dont rely on the wide range of septic tank additives to be a substitute for the routine pumping of you tank. There are no products, at this time, that can be used without also periodically pumping the tank.

1. How often should I have my septic tank cleaned?
   It is recommended that your system be serviced every two to three years. If you have a garbage disposal and use it more than sparingly, than your systems should be pumped every one to two years. Older homes with small older systems may require pumping more frequently.
2. How close do you need to get to the septic tank?
   Our trucks carry approximately 200’ of hose. More hose is available at an additional cost.
3. My drains are gurgling, what is wrong?
   In most cases you probably have a plugged main line or your septic tank is flooded or overfull. But, in some cases a vent problem could cause gurgling.