Septic systems collect and treat the wastewater and effluent from your home before releasing it back to the environment. During the process, pathogens are broken down and nitrites, nitrates, and phosphorus are removed.
If the time has come for you to repair or replace your septic system, you’ll want to know which parts or systems will best suit your needs. The following is a breakdown of the major components of a septic system, and a description of the three different varieties of septic systems available today.
Septic System Parts
While there are different kinds of septic systems, most systems utilize a septic tank, an effluent filter, a distribution box, and what is known as a drain field.
Septic Tank
The septic tank collects wastewater and effluent before it is moved on to the drain field. The tank retains enough water to allow solids to sink to the bottom. As the solids decompose, a layer of sludge will form at the top of the tank. The septic tank is designed to allow treated water through the system while retaining sludge and solid waste.
In order to be effective, a septic tank must be watertight. Not only will a tank with leaks pollute the soil around it, but groundwater will seep into your tank too, shortening its lifespan. Your septic tank must be accessible from the surface of your yard and its cover must be bolted shut for safety.
Effluent Filter
An effluent filter removes sludge and large particles from wastewater as it leaves the septic tank and moves on to the drain field. Filtering the effluent protects the drain field and the surrounding soil.
Distribution Box
Most residential septic systems utilize a distribution box. A distribution box is a container that collects wastewater and effluent from the septic tank, then redistributes it, via a series of pipes or trenches, throughout the drain field.
Drain Field
Also known as the “leach field,” the “drain field” refers to the soil underneath and around your septic system. It represents the final stage of treatment, as bacteria in the field further cleans the wastewater as it’s reintroduced back into the environment. Unlike the bacteria at work in your septic tank, the bacteria of the drain field requires air to live.
TYPES OF SEPTIC SYSTEMS:
There are three basic variety of residential septic systems: the Gravity System, the Pumping System, and the Advanced Treatment System.
Gravity Septic System
As its name suggests, a gravity septic system utilizes gravity in order to move wastewater and effluent from the septic tank to the drain field. The advantage of a gravity-driven system is that no pump is necessary.
Septic Pumping System
Instead of relying on gravity, a pumping septic system uses a mechanical pump to move wastewater and effluent through pipes to the drain field. A major advantage of a pump-driven system is that the movement of waste can be regulated, thereby avoiding potential overload and improving the performance of the system.
Advanced Treatment Systems
The advanced treatment system differs from the gravity system and the pumping system in that it cleans wastewater far more thoroughly. In fact, in many cases, the effluent treated by an advanced septic system may be used for subsurface irrigation.
There are two kinds of advanced treatment septic systems: Aerobic Treatment Units, and Media Filter systems. Aerobic Treatment Units (ATU’s) use oxygen to clean and treat wastewater. The system adds air to the wastewater and effluent, which aids in the breakdown of solid matter and also reduces pathogen levels. ATU’s are faster and more efficient than pumping or gravity systems.
Certain materials such as sand and peat may be used to physically, chemically, and biologically treat wastewater and effluent. A Media Filter system directs waste through such a filter, or series of filters before it reaches the drain field.
As a final step, many advanced treatment septic systems use ultraviolet light to further cleanse wastewater before it’s returned to the environment via the drain field. The UV radiation is germicidal, but it has limited reach. In order to be effective only a thin layer of water may be treated at a time.
Advanced treatment systems are generally more expensive than gravity-driven or pumping systems, but they are far less expensive to have pumped and require less frequent maintenance.
Choosing the septic system that’s right for you may be a matter of personal preference, or it may depend on your budget. In some areas of the United States gravity and pumping systems are, by law, being phased out and replaced with advanced treatment systems.
Whatever type of septic system you own or are about to have installed, be sure to schedule regular maintenance in order to ensure the entirety of the system continues to work efficiently. Keeping your system pumped and well-maintained will increase its lifespan.
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