Do you know where the water from your washing machines and bathrooms goes? Yes, the wastewater from these sources flows into the city sewer systems. Nevertheless, what if your home isn’t connected to the city sewer system? Does the wastewater generated go directly into the environment? No, here’s where your septic tank comes into the picture. The system works throughout the day, keeping your home fresh, clean, and sanitised.
Your home’s septic tank is a personal wastewater treatment plant. Today almost 40% of the population rely on these underground champions to handle everything that goes down their drains. Whether you use the toilet, wash dishes or perform any household chores, all the water goes straight into the septic tank, making it an essential part of your home.
The worst part is that despite its crucial role, your septic tank remains an unsung hero of your house. Most homeowners fail to notice it until something goes wrong. Are you a new homeowner or a construction professional planning to include a septic tank in your next project? Then, this blog is for you. The blog defines a septic tank and everything you must know about the system. Remember, understanding your septic tank isn’t about maintaining your home; it’s about protecting your home and the environment.
What Is a Septic Tank?
Have you ever seen a septic tank? Well, as a homeowner, you might have seen it when it requires a change or experiences some problems. Why? Designers, builders, and architects place your septic tank under the ground. Frankly speaking, a septic tank refers to an underwater sedimentation tank. It treats wastewater generated from domestic properties and commercial buildings that aren’t connected to the city’s sewage system.
Essential Components of Your House’s Septic System
If you ever get a chance to look at the structure of a septic tank, it has a simple design. A septic tank comes with a large watertight container that’s made from either polyethylene, fiberglass, or concrete buried near your home.
The key parts of a septic system include the following:
Inlet Pipe
It’s the first component of your house septic tank that carries your house wastewater before flowing into the septic tank. Located at the bottom of the tank, the pipe helps in transporting all the wastewater from different sources of plumbing to the septic tank system. If you look closely at the system, you will find that the pipe has a lid, preventing the solids from passing through it into the system. Moreover, it also prevents the collected water from flowing back into your home’s plumbing system.
Baffle
A baffle refers to a wall-like structure present at the ends of the inlet and outlet of the septic system. The wall separates the wastewater into two layers. The water containing heavier solid particles sinks to the bottom of the tank, allowing the lighter waste to rise at the top. While the inlet pipe baffle acts as a breaker for the wastewater flowing into the system, the outlet baffle pipe helps in reducing the amount of solids reaching the drain field.
Septic Tank
The tank collects all the wastewater and stores it for approximately 24 hours, allowing the solids to sink at the bottom and the lighter scum to float at the top. The next steps involve processing the sewage treatment, which involves anaerobic decomposition or digestion.
Outlet Pipe
A T-shaped pipe transporting wastewater from the tank to the drain field. Structurally, you will find the outlet pipe located at a lower level of the system, allowing free flow of the treated outlet into the drain field. However, the treated water first passes through the baffle before flowing into the drain field.
The T-shape of the pipe retains the undecomposed solid buildup, scum, and other materials inside the septic tank. It further slows down the flow of wastewater from the tank, allowing more time for the solids to settle and decompose inside the tank. The unique septic tank design prevents overflow and the formation of clogs inside the structure.
Drain Field
It comprises a series of perforated pipes buried underground. When the treated wastewater flows out of the tank, it flows into the drain field. The water further passes through the soil for more filtration before being released into the environment. Sometimes the drain field features additional filtration such as rocks and gravels, further filtering the water as it drains into the field.
The Functioning of Septic Systems
The process starts with the collection of wastewater from different household sources, including sinks, showers, toilets, and appliances into the septic tank. The collection includes both greywater (from showers and sinks) and blackwater (from toilets). Once the water enters the tank, it remains inside it for long hours, preferably 24 hours. It separates the liquids and solid wastes, including food scraps, human and animal waste, and paper products.
If there is pre-processed wastewater inside the sewage disposal system, it flows out through the outlet pipe into the drainage field, dissipating slowly into the soil. After a while, the waste inside the tank separates into three layers. The first layer consists of grease and oils, the middle layer comprises wastewater and waste particles, and the third layer contains solids and other thicker particles.
The naturally forming bacteria inside the tanks break down the solid waste through a process called anaerobic decomposition or digestion, separating the liquids that start to drain. Anaerobic decomposition refers to the process of decomposition of organic matter in the absence of oxygen.
The process relies on bacteria that use organic matter as a food source, breaking down the solid waste into simpler compounds like methane, carbon dioxide, and other nutrients. The clarified flow out from the middle layer flows into the drain field through outlet pipes.
Special baffles prevent the flow of scum and sludge into the drainage field. The drain field, consisting of gravels and perforated pipes, allows the treated wastewater to slowly filter through the soil. The process helps reduce the amount of pollutants in the wastewater, thereby protecting the environment.
Understanding the Various Types of Septic Tanks in Homes
Conventional Septic Tanks
A conventional wastewater treatment comprises a septic tank and a trench or bed subsurface, popularly called the drain field. If you have a single-family home or a small business, installing these tanks is ideal. The drain field of this septic tank design comprises gravel or stone that has existed for decades. The wastewater or effluent passes from the tank to a shallow underground trench of stone or gravel. You need to place a geofabric or similar material above the trench. It prevents sand, dirt, and other contaminants from entering. Once the effluent undergoes filtration through the stone, microbes further treat it after reaching the soil below the stone or gravel.
Aerobic Treatment Unit
Although on a smaller scale, Aerobic Treatment Units work similarly to a municipal sewage plant. The system injects oxygen into the plant, thereby boosting the natural bacterial activity within the system. It further provides additional treatment for nutrients in the effluent. Some of these systems come with a pre-treatment tank and a final treatment tank, including disinfection. The presence of these tanks further reduces the pathogen levels.
If you are living in a region with high water tables, smaller lots, or inadequate soil conditions, choosing this septic tank system is the most beneficial. Besides, if you are staying close to a surface water body that is sensitive to contamination, these systems are the best choice. However, the system requires regular lifetime maintenance.
Mound Septic Systems
If your area has shallow soil depth, shallow bedrock, or high groundwater, this house septic tank design is ideal. The constructed sand mound contains a drainfield trench. The wastewater from your tank flows through a pump chamber. From here, the water gets pumped to the mound in specified doses, which then disperses into the native soil. Although mound systems are a perfect solution for certain soil conditions, they require substantial space and periodic maintenance.
Chamber Septic Systems
Often termed as pressure distribution or a gravel-less system. When compared to the conventional system, the only difference lies in their designs. This septic system comprises long-channel drainage chambers instead of stone-lined leach fields. You need to fill the chambers with the wastewater and distribute it to microbial active soils lying at the bottom of the chamber, facilitating further waste breakdown.
Manufacturers make these chambers from high-density plastic and sometimes from other materials. Since these tanks are simpler to use than conventional tanks, they have become popular. Besides, they are ideal for areas experiencing higher groundwater tables and variable septic influent volumes. However, like conventional tanks, they require regular inspection and maintenance.
Recirculating Sand Filter Septic Tanks Systems
As the name indicates, these systems consist of a sand filter that treats and recirculates wastewater prior to its release in the subsurface soil environment. You can construct the system both above and under the ground, commonly featuring a concrete PVC-lined box that serves as the sewage breakdown filter for the system. You must fill the box filter with sand that you must layer over stone and ensure it is conducive to the growth of necessary bacteria.
A pump is connected to your house’s main drainage pipe that transfers the effluent to the box. The water flows through the sand and then is collected at the stone layer for treatment. Once treated, the water returns to the pump for recirculation or is pumped downstream into the soil subsurface.
The system is ideal if you are living in a shallow groundwater area having only 1.5 feet of suitable soil. Besides, since a pump and electricity are essential for the system, installing these systems is expensive. Moreover, the systems require more maintenance compared to other simple septic tank systems.
Evapotranspiration System
The systems come with unique drain fields lined with watertight materials. Once the wastewater enters the drain field, it evaporates into the air. Unlike other septic system designs, the soil does not filter the water and allows it to enter the ground level. However, you can use these systems in specific environmental conditions.
If you are living in an arid region that receives adequate heat and sunlight, installing the system is ideal. While they work best in shallow soil, they are at risk of malfunctioning in case they experience extreme rain or snow.
Septic Tanks in Homes: Benefits
Your septic tank plays an important role in treating and disposing of wastewater. If you live in an area that isn’t connected to the city’s sewer, installing a septic tank is essential. With the system, you enjoy the following benefits.
Protects the Environment
Manufacturers design the septic tanks to treat and dispose of the wastewater to minimise its effect on the environment. The effluent, once released from the tanks, passes through the soil. Since the soil acts as a natural filter and removes the remaining pollutants and other harmful bacteria, it protects the groundwater, surface water, and other natural resources.
Cost-effective Solution
While most people believe that extending the city’s sewer pipes is less expensive than a septic system installation, the fact is completely different. Besides, being easy to install and maintain, it saves most of your expenses. It removes the cost of water bills from the city. Besides, with a home septic tank installed, you will never have to depend on the main water supply and treatment. Furthermore, you will never have to pay monthly maintenance charges of the sewers, making wastewater management efficient and cost-effective.
Offers Flexibility
Septic tanks are essential and the best choice if your home isn’t connected to the city sewer. You can avail yourself of them in various types, sizes, and shapes. For instance, you can opt for concrete septic tanks. However, they require regular personal inspections. On the other hand, steel tanks are affordable, but rust easily. Fibreglass tanks are lightweight and do not rust. For some homeowners, aerobic tanks are the best. However, they are expensive to maintain. Therefore, you can purchase the one that would suit your requirements and fit your budget.
Conclusion
Your home’s septic tank remains an essential component for wastewater management. When you understand its functioning, take good care of your tank and remain aware of the potential issues, you ensure that your septic tank will operate in the best condition even in the future. Besides protecting your property, a well-maintained system safeguards public health and the environment.
As a reliable and trustworthy construction firm in India, Brick&Bolt ensures to meet your expectations of your dream home. Whether you are building your new home with a septic system or planning to replace an existing one, the professionals ensure that you don’t have to deal with multiple contractors. Besides, our team of experts assures you of reliability, quality, and on-time delivery of projects along with the best designs. Each of our projects passes through over 400 quality checks, offering you a smooth, efficient, and memorable building experience.
Apoorva H P Achar