If you live out of the city limits and do not have access to the centralized sewer systems, it becomes essential for you to install a septic tank system in your premises to treat the wastewater generated in your household. Many activities we carry out daily, be it dishwashing, laundry, or using the bathroom, create a massive amount of sewage. Have you ever wondered how your septic tank manages this continuous flow of wastewater? If so, we would shed some light on this subject to understand the basic working of a septic tank system.
How does a Gainesville, VA, septic tank work?
To understand how a septic tank works, you should know how it is built. A typical septic system is designed as two sections, namely a septic tank and a drain field.
All the wastewater generated in your household enters the septic tank from one main drainage pipe. Septic tanks have two chambers. The main drainage pipe is connected to the first chamber of the septic tank. Once it reaches there, whatever solid matter is present in it gets settled down to the bottom of the first chamber. Whereas, the greasy and oily part present in the wastewater forms a top layer in the chamber. The top layer is called the scum, and the bottom layer is called the sludge. Now, whatever liquid part is left in the sewage will remain in between these two layers. This liquid part is called effluent.
The wall, which separates the two chambers of a septic tank, has a T shaped outlet positioned in the middle. The primary function of this outlet is to allow only the effluent to exit the first chamber. Whatever scum and sludge are formed in the first chamber will be prevented from entering the next chamber. The effluent, which enters the second chamber, is allowed to settle further in the second compartment. Now the effluent from the second chamber is let out to the drain field and treated there.
Now, let us look at how does a Gainesville, VA, septic tank works. As the wastewater from the household fills the first chamber, effluent from it enters the second chamber and flows out to the drain field. That’s all there is to it. The drain field is often a narrow pit made in loosely bound soil which is kept covered. It usually consists of rock-filled gutters where effluent slowly gets absorbed and dispersed into the soil, which completes the wastewater treatment process.
If you want to know more about the working of septic tank systems or require a septic tank service provider, remember that professionals at SES Mid Atlantic is just a call away.