Septic Tank 101 – The Tank is the First Stop
Let’s admit it – talking about a septic tank is not very fun. The “septic tank” conversation is probably not going to come up at the next office party. But for those of us blessed to be on a septic system instead of a sewage system, here are the basics: The septic tank is a big box, typically underground, in which sewage is collected and allowed to decompose through bacterial activity before draining by means of a leach field.
From Wikipedia: A septic tank is a key component of the septic system, a small-scale sewage treatment system common in areas that lack connection to main sewage pipes provided by local governments or private corporations…. In North America, approximately 25% of the population relies on septic tanks, including some suburbs and small towns as well as rural areas. Indianapolis is one example of a large city where many of the city’s neighborhoods still rely on separate septic systems. Since septic systems require large drainfields, they are not suitable for densely built cities.
![Schematic_of_a_septic_tank_2[1]](http://septi-zone.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Schematic_of_a_septic_tank_21.png)
Periodic preventive maintenance is required to remove solids that remain and gradually fill the tank, reducing its efficiency. Maintenance requires regular pumping to remove these. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, in the United States it is the home owners’ responsibility to maintain their septic systems. Those who ignore this requirement will eventually be faced with costly repairs when solids escape the tank and clog the clarified liquid effluent disposal system. A properly maintained system will likely not need replacement during the homeowner’s lifetime.
Just like changing the oil in your car or the air filters in your home’s furnace, the septic system must be maintained. And this is where Septi-Zone comes in – regular use will keep everything running, and eliminates the need for pumping.
The tank is only part of the picture. The leach field is where major things can go wrong. Tomorrow we will take a look at the leach field and get a complete picture of the septic system.