| Septic Tank |
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A septic tank should generally be pumped out every 3-5 years or when 1/3 of the tank volume is filled with solids. The frequency of pumping out the tank will depend on the water used, number of people in the home and the size of the septic tank. Shoreline residents, which have wetter soils, should consider pumping yearly, as the leaching beds do not work as efficiently in wet soil.
Pumping of the septic tank is best in the summer or early fall, as the biological activity in the tank can re-establish itself before it get to cold. What is a Septic Tank?
The septic tank is a large watertight tank beneath the ground, they are made of
concrete, polyethylene or fibreglass. Some older tanks were made of steel.
The sewer line from the house carries waste into the tank which is divided into
two sections by a baffle. The purpose of the septic tank is to separate liquids from
solids and provide some breakdown of organic matter in the wastewater.
The size of the septic system varies, depending on the size of the house (number
of bathrooms) and household water use.
As wastewater enters the septic tank, heavier solids settle to the bottom of the tank, referred to as "sludge". lighter solids (grease and fats) form a mass on the surface called "Scum". Clarified waste water in the middle of the tank flows over the baffle into the second part of the tank, and then displaced into the leaching bed for further treatment in the soil layer. |
