Septic Tank System Functions

The septic tank digests organic matter and separates floatable matter e g oils and grease and solids from the wastewater.

Septic tank system functions.

The heavier solids sink to the bottom forming the sludge layer the lighter solids fats oils grease etc rise to the surface and form the scum layer. The septic tank performs two functions. These residents tend to live in suburban areas small towns and rural areas with centralized sewer systems. The line exiting the tank takes the water out to the secondary treatment area which could be a filter bed or leach trenches depending upon the age of the system.

Septic tank users usually live in areas where that is not an option. Soil based systems discharge the liquid known as effluent from the septic tank into a series of perforated pipes buried in a. First it acts as a holding tank and allows the solids to settle out. The tank is located so that gravity sends the water into the tank.

Just about 25 percent of north america residents rely on septic tanks. How a septic tank functions. A typical septic system consists of a septic tank and a drainfield or soil absorption field. Septic tank systems are a type of simple onsite sewage facility ossf.

But septic systems don t have to be scary with a solid maintenance record and a good inspection a septic tank and the associated parts can easily last for decades.