SEPTIC TANKS

What Are They?

The septic tank serves as a settling basin where solids accumulate and gradually get broken down by bacterial action.

Some of the solid waste is actually liquefied by this "natural bacterial decomposition," however the rest of the waste accumulates in the bottom as a layer of sludge. Additionally, a small percentage of this, waste (mostly fats and oils) float to the top of the tank to form a layer of semi-solid scum.

How Do They Work?

The population living in metropolitan areas (who have never had the pleasure of maintaining a septic system, or who have never experienced waddling in their leachfield, or even had the experience of pumping out their systems) simply flush their toilets and "away go their troubles down the drain."

Those of us living in more rural areas have been forced to learn about the maintenance and working of the sewage treatment facility attached to our home, "the septic system." Usually a septic tank is connected to a drainage field or seepage pit of some kind. If properly maintained, a well-designed system will last almost indefinitely. However, if it is neglected for an extended period of time, it can back up and clog the drainage field. This neglect can result in an expensive excavation and even a replacement of the drainpipes that could cost thousands of dollars.
 

Design Of The Tank

Although designs vary, most septic tanks consist of a watertight, below ground, tank that should have one or two manhole covers (buried below ground) to provide access for cleaning and inspection. Sewage from the house flows into the tank through an inlet pipe near the top on one side. It flows out through a discharge or overflow pipe at the other side. The pipe may end in a large tee fitting or into a baffle (wall) preventing the effluent from flowing straight across the tank from one pipe to the other.

The incoming sewage will be diverted downward with a minimum of splashing, allowing the solids to sink to the bottom.

Outgoing effluent is drawn from below the top layer of the floating waste (grease, oil, and scum) so that only liquid waste or solids that have been liquefied by the BACTERIAL ACTION going on at the bottom of the septic tank (which we will come back to this point later) are discharged out into the drainage field.

COMPONENTS OF SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS

A typical household sewage treatment system consists of a house sewer, septic tank, distribution box and absorption field or seepage pit. In some cases there are pump tanks, aerators and special valve assemblies.

House Sewer - The pipeline connecting the house to the septic tank.

Septic Tank - Untreated liquid household wastes (sewage) will quickly clog your absorption field if not properly treated. The septic tank provides this needed treatment. When sewage enters the septic tank, the heavy solids settle to the bottom of the tank; the lighter solids, fats and greases partially decompose and rise to the surface and form a layer of scum. The solids that have settled to the bottom are attacked by bacteria and form sludge. Septic tanks do not remove bacteria and, therefore, what is discharged cannot be considered safe.

Distribution Box - Serves to distribute the flow from the septic tank evenly to the absorption field or seepage pits. It is important that each trench or pit receive an equal amount of flow. This prevents overloading of one part of the system.

Absorption Field - A system of narrow trenches partially filled with a bed of washed gravel or crushed stone into which perforated or open joint pipe is placed. The discharge from the septic tank is distributed through these pipes into trenches and surrounding soil. The subsurface absorption field must be properly sized and constructed.

Cesspools - Work in a similar manner to septic systems. Sewage water usually seeps through the open bottom and portholes in the sides of the walls. These can also clog up with overuse and the introduction of detergents and other material which inhibit the bacterial action.

When a sewage backup occurs, homeowners usually have the system pumped out. Pumping out will only relieve the system temporarily. The clogged pores in the ground, called a bio-mat, remain and eventually the system will have to be pumped again and again.
 
 

SAND MOUND

An alternative to the typical absorption system is the sand mound. Sand mound systems are used in areas where the site is not suitable for a traditional (in-ground) septic system. The soil may percolate too slowly, or the water table may be too high. As you can see from the diagram below, the wastewater flows to the typical septic tank(s), but then is pumped to a distribution network instead of an in-ground drainfield. The distribution network is in a bed of sand that is over the top of the ground. The mound is then covered with a fabric and then topsoil. Sand mounds are more expensive to install than traditional in-ground septic systems. Lower cost sand mounds are approximately $15,000-$25,000.

MAINTENANCE

Since solids will continue to build up at the bottom of the tank, it is imperative that the septic tank be pumped out periodically. Remember, sludge is not biodegradable, if it's not pumped out, sludge will accumulate until it overflows the tank.

The frequency of cleanings will depend primarily on the amount of wastewater that goes through the system each day. The frequency also depends on how careful you are about not throwing excess fats, rinds and other similar garbage down the drains. The more solid waste thrown into the system, the quicker the tank will fill up. Heavy flows of water also tend to make the tank fill up more quickly. That is why it is best not to use a garbage disposal when you have a septic tank, and why water should not be left running indiscriminately in sinks or toilets.

TREATMENT

It is important to get the septic tank cleaned  before the sludge level gets high enough so that the solid material at the bottom, or the semi-solid scum at the top, can flow out into the drainage field. This will quickly clog the drainage pipes and the soil into which they drain.

Make certain there is live bacteria in your system at all times. The bacteria's job is to digest all organic waste matter in the system. If there is no bacteria in your system it will simply act as a holding tank for your waste. It becomes full, and natural digestion will not occur. That is when the system backs up.

Bacteria are killed off or overrun because of:

• excessive quantities of detergents, laundry waste, bleach, household chemicals, anti-bacterial soaps, a family member on antibiotic medication and caustic drain openers;

• garbage disposal grinds which substantially increase the accumulation of solids;

• disposal of items not biodegradable in the system (plastics, etc.);

• disposal of excessive amounts of grease and fats, which are biodegradable, but need particular types of bacteria to digest them.

• disposal of cigarette butts and sanitary napkins which are also biodegradable, but are not readily decomposable;

• too many people using a smaller/inadequate or failing system.

If you have no bacteria in your system and you add enzymes to the system, it simply will not help and your system will still not work. Enzymes are simply a catalyst for bacteria. If there is no bacteria in your system, why use enzymes?

From time to time, you should add "l00% Natural LIVE ADULT BACTERIA" to your system.

Do not add just any kind of bacteria. Call ALL-AMERICAN Septic Service and we can add adult live bacteria that are "FACULTATIVE," which will work with or without oxygen.

A "facultative" bacteria is one that would be useful in situations that have air (aerobic situations) and in situations where there is no air (anaerobic situations). The bottom of the septic tank has no oxygen and therefore needs anaerobic bacteria.

"PRO-PUMP" liquid-live adult bacterial cultures are "facultative" and "anaerobic." According to the manufacturer of PRO-PUMP, they have been producing this strain of "friendly bacteria" for over 21 years. Ecological Laboratories is the only commercial manufacturer of this thiobacillus (purple strain) bacteria today.

This commercial strength "facultative" bacteria is:

• Non-hazardous, non-caustic and non-pathogenic bacteria;

• It is 100% natural, it is not genetically engineered or mutated;

• It works aerobically or anaerobically;

• It works with or without light;

• It works in an environment of low-to-high acidity and low-to-high alkalinity;

• It has a shelf life of 3-5 years;

• It can be stored in all climactic regions. If frozen, it keeps its integrity after thawing out.

The bacterial populations have been determined by repetitive plate count to be in excess of 350 million organisms per milliliter.

What makes PRO-PUMP so unique is that the adult bacteria in the jug are dormant and remain that way until it is poured into your system, then these adult live "facultative" bacteria will immediately revive and begin feeding and reproducing while attacking the organic waste matter in your pipes, septic tanks and leachfields.

REGULATIONS

As communities grow more crowded and awareness of the impact of one home upon another, regulatory authorities have begun to pay more attention to proper maintenance of each individual property.

One factor under scrutiny is the septic system. Rather than leave it up to the homeowner to decide how often to clean and pump a system, a growing number of municipalities are imposing requirements. In addition, state laws are becoming more stringent. If an existing system fails, or in the building of new homes, some states have begun imposing tighter regulations on the types of systems allowed.

Nationwide about 25% of all homes rely on a septic system. With so many systems in constant use and most of them older models of inferior design, fear has been mounting that improperly maintained systems could pollute ground-water supplies or that the health of ones own family could be jeopardized.

THE BEST WAY TO AVOID major repairs or replacement, or to avoid being fined for operating a substandard system is to call ALL-AMERICAN SEPTIC SERVICE, INC.

• We can advise you on all local laws and regulations.

• We can inspect your system.

• We can coach you on the proper maintenance of your system.

• We can supply you with commercial strength PRO-PUMP* and confirm the dosage rates needed to maintain your individual system.

• We can save you money by helping you to maintain your system before it fails.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reprinted with permission from propump.com