 | 
Go Back To Previous Page
Septic Tanks 101
A septic tank is a water tight enclosure in which organic solids are decomposed by natural bacterial processes. Sewage is detained and separated as it flows through the tank. Heavier solids settle to the bottom, forming sludge and the fats and grease float, forming a scum. The sludge and scum continue to be digested, while clarified liquids are discharged to the absorption fields. Although a properly functioning tank digests all organic solids, a residue of inert material slowly accumulates. Thus the tank must be cleaned periodically. With ordinary use and care a septic tank should not require cleaning more often than every three or four years.
The bacteria present in a tank are anaerobic, that is, they thrive in the absence of free oxygen. The decomposition or treatment of sewage under anaerobic conditions is termed "septic," hence the name of the tank. Insufficient bacterial activity will result in the movement of undigested organic suspended solids from the tank into the distribution fingers in the absorption fields. The solids form a septic deposit that appears as a black slime concentrate as it progressively moves out along the distribution fingers. As the deposit extends outward it also works its way up the side walls until it radically reduces the water infiltration into the absorption fields. Pressure caused by the blockage will force the liquid effluent either to surface on top of the ground or back up through the entire system to drains and toilets. Very rarely are ponding and backups caused by hydraulic overloads from heavy rains or excessive usage. The usual cause is blockage of the distribution pipes.
If the surface ponding or the backup into drains and toilets is caused by clogged pipes in the distribution fingers, then pumping the tank will be no more than a very temporary cure.
The distribution lines will have to be cleaned, extended, or even replaced before the system will properly function again. Mechanical and chemical methods are limited in their effectiveness, often necessitate excavation and are quite expensive. Using bacteria for the removal of septic crust and slime in the distribution lines and scum and grease in the sewer pipes, as well as in the tank itself, is easy, and inexpensive. Because bacteria tightly adhere to organic matter during the process of decomposition, they will not be washed away by normal waste or water or sewage flow.
Related Products to this article
 Copyright © 2004-2009 Sparky Boy Enterprises. All rights reserved.
|
 |
