Septic System tips
[edit] Septic Tank
A septic tank is a buried, watertight container typically made of concrete, fiberglass or plastic. It holds the wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle out (forming sludge) and oil and grease to float to the surface (as scum).
The septic tank also allows partial breakdown of the solid materials. Some solids are removed from the wastewater, some are digested, and some are stored in the tank. Up to 50% of the solids retained in the tank decompose, while the remainder accumulate as sludge at the bottom of the tank and must be removed.
Compartments and a T-shaped outlet in the septic tank prevent the sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling to the drain field.
Newer septic tanks have risers with lids at the ground surface to allow easy inspection and pumping of the tank.
The septic tank should retain the wastewater for at least 24 hours.
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[edit] Septic System Design
[edit] How to Care for Your Septic Tank and Septic System
Proper design, installation, and maintenance of your septic system will maximize your system's life.It will prevent failures that can be unsightly, foul-smelling, and threatening to your family's health. Good maintenance reduces the risk of contaminating your well water, and may save you from costly repairs or system replacement.
[edit] Put these tips to use for a clean and trouble-free septic system.
- Inspect your septic system annually.
- Pump out your septic system regularly. (Pumping out every three to five years is recommended for a three-bedroom house with a 1,000-gallon tank; smaller tanks should be pumped more often.)
- Do not use septic system additives. There is no scientific evidence that biological and chemical additives aid or accelerate decomposition in septic tanks; some additives may in fact be detrimental to the septic system or contaminate ground water.
- Do not divert stormdrains or basement pumps into septic systems.
- Avoid or reduce the use of your garbage disposal. (Garbage disposals contribute unnecessary solids to your septic system and can also increase the frequency your tank needs to be pumped.)
- Don't use toilets as trash cans! Excess solids may clog your drainfield and necessitate more frequent pumping.
Divert Rainwater From the Septic Drainfield
- A soggy drainfield won't absorb and neutralize liquid waste.Plan landscaping, roof gutters and foundation drains so that excess water is diverted away from the septic drainfield.
Don't Overload the Septic Tank and Drainfield
- Check faucets and toilets for leaks; make repairs if necessary.
- Use aerators on faucets and flow reducer nozzles on showers to help lower water consumption.
- Reduce water levels for small loads of laundry.
- Wait until the dishwasher is full to run it.
- Use a displacer to reduce the amount of water needed to flush the toilet.
Keep Trees Away from the Septic System
- Discourage root damage by keeping trees at least 100 feet away from the septic system.
- Trees with very aggressive roots, such as willows, should be even farther away from the system.
[edit] Dos and Don'ts if you are on a septic system
[edit] Dos
- Connect laundry and kitchen water to septic tank.
- Have your septic tank pumped out by a licensed operator every 2-3 years (more often if you are using a garbage disposal).
- Have the operator check to be sure there is a tee or baffle on the
outlet of the septic tank. The baffle stops the scum from floating into the disposal field.
- Check with the health department if you are having problems. They can assist with operation, maintenance and design questions.
- Learn the location of your septic tank, drain field and well. Keep a sketch of it handy with your maintenance record for service visits. Obtain a copy of your septic permit and map inspection, if
possible.
[edit] Don'ts
- Don't ever go down into a septic tank. Toxic gases are produced by the natural treatment processes in septic tanks and can kill humans in minutes. Extreme care should be taken when inspecting a septic tank, even when just looking in the lid opening.
- Don't allow heavy vehicles to drive over or park on the drain field (leach field).
- Don't plant trees or shrubs on the drain field (leach field).The roots from the plants could damage the system.
- Don't cover the drain field with a hard surface such as concrete,asphalt above ground pools or decks. The area should have only a grass cover.
- Don't repair your septic system without checking with the health department to see if you need a permit.
- Don't overuse a kitchen garbage disposal unit. Heavy use adds large quantities of solids and shortens the time between septic tank pumping.
- Don't use commercial septic tank additives. These products usually do not help and some may hurt your system in the long run.
- Don't use your toilet like a trash can or poison your septic system
and the groundwater by pouring harmful chemicals and cleansers down the drain. Harsh chemicals can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your waste water.
[edit] Types of Septic Systems
Septic systems are categorized into conventional and alternative systems. Conventional systems include gravity systems and pressure distribution systems. Aerobic treatment unit (ATU), mound system and sand filter system are classified under the alternative systems. It is important and beneficial if you can grasp a basic understanding about the types of septic systems you are using
Conventional Systems Category
[edit] 1.Conventional Gravity Septic System:
As the name suggests, gravity systems make use of the force of gravity for the drainage purpose. Due to gravity, the effluent (water mixed with waste water) flows through the septic tank into the drainage field. The drainage field consists of a series of trenches. The location of the drainage must be such that it lies below the outlet level of the septic tank. The reason being, the working of the system using gravity. The trenches must have their bottoms lying on natural undisturbed soil. Water table or a hard pan acts as a restrictive layer for the system. For this reason, the bottom of the trenches must be situated at a location that is three to four feet above any such restrictive layer. The soil that lies between the foot of the trenches and the water table plays an important role in the gravity system. It is utilized in the final treatment of the effluent or the waste water. When the effluent makes its way through the soil, it gets filtered in the process. Since the effluent has to reach the ground water, it is cleaned and purified through chemical and biological processes. Dry and permeable soil works best for such a septic system. Sufficient amount of oxygen in the soil also provides additional benefit to the cleaning process.
The below generic picture shows how the conventional gravity septic system works and how the effluent (liquid) gets treated and returned back into nature.
The following are some pictures of various conventional gravity systems including a common gravel-less type chamber system:
The following are some pictures of various conventional gravity systems with washed drain rock & piping:
[edit] 2.Pressure Distribution System
Pressure distribution system is common in most of the new systems because of its ability to make optimum use of the drainage field. This system makes use of pump for uniform distribution of effluent throughout the drainage field, at the same time. This system provides dosing and resting cycles. This means that the pump tank dose the entire drain with effluent. The pump holds waste water until it is accumulated enough, before the next dose to the drainage field. Topography of certain areas does not allow to set the level of the drainage field lower than that of the septic tank outlet. For such areas or sites, the pressure distribution system is most suitable.
Alternative Systems
[edit] Aerobic treatment unit (ATU)
The aerobic treatment unit uses oxygen as its key product for its operation. Here, waste is broken down by the use of oxygen so that the treated waste water is cleaner than that of conventional systems. This is an important factor when environmentally sensitive areas or locations are considered. The working of this system can be regarded as a lower-version of the municipal waste water treatment. The most common type of ATU that is used for household purposes, uses the 'suspended growth' process. In this process, the system has a water tight tank that consists of an aeration chamber. Inside the chamber, air is forced and is mixed with waste water. This technique creates a 'free-floating' conditions for bacteria in the liquid. Here, the bacteria grow as they break down and digest the waste. The waste water leaving the system is cleaner because of the rapid decomposition of the organic wastes.
Finished installation of an ATU
Visit Web site at [www.bae.umn.edu/septic/] for additional information.
[edit] Mound Septic System
Certain areas cannot provide conditions where soil is deep enough for installation of traditional septic systems. For such places, mound septic system fits the bill. Here, the drainage system is raised above the natural soil surface or ground level. On top of the natural soil, specific sand fill material is placed for the effluent or waste water treatment. This sand fill consists of a gravel bed which in turn consists of a network, driven by pressurized pipes. Septic tank's effluent reaches the mound through the pump in a dosing tank. The pump ensures controlled amount of doses for uniform distribution throughout the gravel bed. So, the waste gets filtered when it traverses through the sand fill and into the natural soil.
[edit] Sand Filter Septic System
Sand filter system can be installed above and below the ground and is based upon a principle similar to that of a mound system. The pump tank and the drainage field is separated by sand. So, the effluent that discharges from the pump tank, gets pre-treatment by the intermediate sand before it enters the drainage field. The system can be regarded as a biological treatment for natural cleansing of effluent. Places where the soil is in sufficient for waste water treatment, sand filter system is a good alternative for them. This is because the dearth of soil is made up by the sand that is used in the process.
[edit] Maintenance Tips
[edit] INSIDE
- Conserve water. Fix leaks and drips. If you replace old fixtures,install new "low flow" types.
- Do not overload the system -- this is the primary cause of system failures. Early morning and bedtime are peak water use times in the bathroom. Run dishwashers and washing machines at other times of the day. Don't do all the family laundry in one day.
- Do not use a garbage disposal or dump coffee grounds in the sink.
Increasing the load of solids into the tank decreases the capacity and shortens the interval between pumping.
- Do not pour fats and oils down the drain. They can build up and clog
the septic tank pipes.
- Put paper towels, tissue, cigarette butts, disposable diapers,sanitary napkins, tampons and other material in a trash can, not the toilet.
- Use normal amounts of detergents, bleaches, drain cleaners, household cleaners and other products. Avoid dumping solvents like dry cleaning fluid, pesticides, photographic chemicals, paint thinner, or auto products down the drain.
[edit] OUTSIDE
- Direct down spouts and runoff away from the septic field to avoid
saturating the area with excess water.
- Dense grass cover and other shallow rooted plants are beneficial
over a septic field. However, do not plant trees because large plant roots can clog or break the pipes.
- Avoid compacting the soil over the infiltration area. Do not drive
or park vehicles over the area and don't build a shed or driveway in this area. These activities can also crack pipes or cause the distribution box to settle unevenly, meaning that effluent will only flow into part of the drain field.
- Tanks need to be pumped every two to five years, depending on use.If the tank gets too full, particles of scum or sludge will flush out of the tank. This material will clog the drain tiles and cause the septic system to fail.
- Hire a licensed professional (listed in the phone book under "septic
tank cleaners") to pump the waste out of your tank. The tank should be pumped out through the manhole, not the smaller inspection ports.The tank should be cleaned completely, leaving nothing in the tank. Make sure the baffles are inspected and that the tank is checked for leaks.
