The Septic System
The
septic system is a natural method of treatment and disposal
of household wastes for homeowners who live in an area
where there is no municipal sewage disposal system.
It is estimated that there are about 30 million residences
in the U.S. that fall into this catagory. If your home
has a septic system it important for you to know something
about how it works. This often-overlooked part of your
home can be very expensive to repair or replace. A little
knowledge has the potential to save homeowners thousands
of dollars.
Although
individual designs vary, a typical gravity fed septic
system is composed of three parts:
distribution
box
The
septic system in the average home, with two baths and
three occupants will process over 85,000 gallons of
wastewater annually.
All
of this wastewater passes through the septic
tank, where the solid matter is trapped. The wastewater,
or effluent, then passes through the distribution box
where it is routed into the drainfield. The drainfield
soil filters, and bacteria
purifies the wastewater, which eventually makes its
way back to the local water table.
Proper
treatment of wastewater
reduces health risks as it is unhealthy for humans,
pets, and wildlife to drink, or come in contact with,
surface or ground water contaminated with wastewater.
Inadequate treatment of wastewater allows bacteria,
viruses, and other disease-causing pathogens to enter
groundwater and surface water. |
