subject: The Innards Of A Septic Tank [print this page] Marion County builders and realtors have noted a growing interest on the part of home builders in septic tanks. In order to aid the homeowners in understanding the importance of septic tanks, the county's Chief Sanitarian produced an article which discusses the basic facts about septic tanks. This piece contains information on the basic facts about septic tanks. In rural areas and new subdivisions where people have no sanitary sewers and still wish to have a modern home, there is no alternative other than the use of a septic tank.
Fresh sewage is dark grey in color and has very much the appearance of soapy water. One hundred fifty gallons of effluent is comprised of around one pound of solids. Of the solid portion, fifty percent is filled by minerals while the other half is filled by vegetable and animal matter. A forty percent suspension and a sixty percent solution are produced from vegetable and animal matter.
The clearance of the effluent portions that settle and don't settle is the chief predicament in sewage treatment. A septic tank acts as a chamber that speeds up the natural decomposition process and this is where sewage is delivered. Putrefaction of solid matter transpires at the base of the tank while scum develops from the lighter portions of waste and grease at the surface of the tank.
Credits for the disintegration and decomposition that occur in septic tanks go to the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The bacteria cause the organic solids to putrefy into liquids and gases. The small quantity cannot be decomposed and instead forms sludge at the bottom of the tank. The mechanics of the septic tank relies greatly on the decomposing action of the bacteria. Dumping chemicals into the septic tank suppresses the bacteria action. Consequently, it is not good practice to use lye and various other preparations to open clogged drains.
A balanced volume of liquid sewage is always present in the tank because raw sewage pushes an equal amount of liquid out onto the discharge side of the tank. A septic tank is equipped with a baffle at the inlet so that incoming sewage is directed towards the bottom of the tank. The instant expulsion of undecomposed raw sewage is prevented and scum is preserved by this method . The outlet of the tank is also set up with a baffle and both baffles contribute to the achievement of this goal.
The waste matter remains putrid despite having the components of the effluent subjected to decomposition. Water from rain pipes should never be drained into a septic tank. A 500 gallon tank is more than acceptable for the common two bedrooms home. In some of the larger homes, a 1,000 gallon tank is recommended. Once every three years, a septic tank must be cleaned out in order to ensure the production of good results.
