Septic Effluent

The septic tank effluent is allowed to flow to the drainfield by gravity or is dosed by pump or siphon. The effluent enters the soil and is treated as it percolates to the groundwater.

The soil acts as biological filter to remove nearly all harmful substances including disease-causing bacteria and viruses, toxic organics and other undesirable wastewater constituents remaining in the septic tank effluent.

In addition to acting as a sedimentation chamber and providing storage for the sludge and scum, the septic tank also digests or breaks down the waste solids. Micro-organisms that thrive without oxygen feed on the solids to reduce the volume of sludge and scum.

In the process, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and other gases are produced which must be vented from the tank through the plumbing vent on the roof.

Only about 40% of the sludge and scum volume can be reduced in this manner, so the tank must be pumped regularly to remove the accumulated solids. If not done, the tank will fill with sludge and the solids will be washed out into the drainfield where they will quickly clog the soil.



Previous Article : Failure Septic System - - Next Article : Find Septic System

Featured Articles
Providing Quality Service...Guaranteed In the Greater Austin Area of Travis, Hays, Williamson, Burnet, & Bastrop Counties , Hudson Bend, Wells Branch, Shady Hollow, Buda, Driftwood, San Marcos, Bartlett, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Misc Locations, Bell County.
Call (512) 338-1804 for fast, dependable service.
Improved Efficiency - Public And Private (Rare story: A public agency and private company work together to improve efficiency for themselves AND their customers.) Background:   Since the State-wide change in...
Pumping Frequencies The table below provides an estimate of pumping frequency in years, based on the size of the first tank in gallons, and the number of...
Septic Tank Additives There are many companies promoting their septic tank additives, saying they can solve all of your septic woes. For over 15 years, these claims have...
  • Septic Tank Care Learn about your household sewage system. Obtain and keep a sketch of the system with a detailed record...
  • Aerobic Treatment Unit First, please understand that the State has clearly stated it is the owner's responsibility to operate the aerobic...
  • Local Septic System Problems in Texas On-Site Industry: (The...
  • Septic Holding Tank Holding Tank Septic Systems use a sealed tank to hold household waste and wastewater until the tank can...
  • Reverse Osmosis Reverse osmosis is sometimes referred to as ultrafiltration because it involves the movement of water through a membrane.A...