If you have lived in a city where you had the benefit of the sewer system, you may have no idea what you need in an area where the city does not take care of those issues. In this case, Pioneer Plumbing & Septic can help you with these new responsibilities. Keep reading to learn about septic systems.

What Is a Septic Tank?

The septic tank is a watertight container that your plumber buries in your yard. It is sturdy and made of steel, fiberglass, polyethylene, or concrete. It is a wastewater treatment system that works with bacteria to break down organic materials and solid matter. The tank sends this treated water further through the system so that it can receive additional treatment.

How Does the Septic Tank Work?

The septic tank only needs to keep wastewater until it can separate it into the following three sections:

• The Top Section: The fats, oils, and grease that are in the wastewater float to the surface and form what is called “scum.”
• The Bottom Section: The solid matter falls to the bottom section and forms what is called “sludge.” This is where bacteria break a portion of these solid wastes down so that they become liquid.
• The Middle Section: Wastewater sits in the middle section between the scum and the sludge. Then, the water can exit and move toward the drain field from here.

What Is a Septic System?

After you flush a toilet or run water anywhere in your home, the water goes to the tank described above. It is a sewage system that is prevalent among rural communities because there are not always municipal sewer systems in these areas.

How Does the Septic System Work?

A home may have a conventional septic system that collects the water that comes from your toilets and drains. It leaves solid waste and other contaminants in the septic tank but sends treated water to your drain field. While in the drain field, the bacteria break down the pollutants in the wastewater, and treated water returns to your home and the soil.

This process takes the following ten steps:

1. Water from your dishwasher, washing machine, sinks, bathtub, shower, and toilet travels through the drainage pipe into your septic tank.
2. Solid particles become a sludge as they sink to the bottom.
3. The fats, grease, and oils form scum at the top.
4. Bacteria that do not require oxygen exist in your septic tank, and they consume the pollutants that are in the wastewater.
5. Then, wastewater passes through effluent filters.
6. The filtered water passes through a pipe that leads to your drain field.
7. There are perforated pipes along the way so that water has a chance to return to the soil.
8. The soil has bacteria that do need oxygen, and they break the contaminants in the water down.
9. The soil removes more of the impurities.
10. The treated water makes its way to the groundwater and then to lakes, rivers, and streams.

Schedule A Service Now

Now that you know something about septic systems, you are in the best position to begin the process of building your own. To schedule a septic tank service, you only need to set a date and time on our website. We are eager to work with you!

William Shipe