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Directory - Choose a topic below:
What
is a septic system?
Septic System Maintenance
Septic System Brochures
EPA Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems
Recordkeeping Folder and Info. Package
on Septic Systems
Did
you know about 25 percent of the U.S. population relies on
decentralized—or onsite—wastewater treatment systems?
About 95 percent of the onsite wastewater disposal systems
are septic systems.
What
is a septic system?
A
septic system is a highly efficient, self-contained, underground
wastewater treatment system. Because septic systems treat
and dispose of household wastewater onsite, they are often
more economical than centralized sewer systems in rural areas
where lot sizes are larger and houses are spaced widely apart.
Septic systems are also simple in design, which make them
generally less expensive to install and maintain. And by using
natural processes to treat the wastewater onsite, usually
in a homeowner's backyard, septic systems don't require the
installation of miles of sewer lines, making them less disruptive
to the environment.
A
septic system consists of two main parts-a septic tank and
a drainfield. The septic tank is a watertight box, usually
made of concrete or fiberglass, with an inlet and outlet pipe.
Wastewater flows from the home to the septic tank through
the sewer pipe. The septic tank treats the wastewater naturally
by holding it in the tank long enough for solids and liquids
to separate. The wastewater forms three layers inside the
tank. Solids lighter than water (such as greases and oils)
float to the top forming a layer of scum. Solids heavier than
water settle at the bottom of the tank forming a layer of
sludge. This leaves a middle layer of partially clarified
wastewater.
The
layers of sludge and scum remain in the septic tank where
bacteria found naturally in the wastewater work to break the
solids down. The sludge and scum that cannot be broken down
are retained in the tank until the tank is pumped. The layer
of clarified liquid flows from the septic tank to the drainfield
or to a distribution device, which helps to uniformly distribute
the wastewater in the drainfield. A standard drainfield (also
known as a leachfield, disposal field, or a soil absorption
system) is a series of trenches or a bed lined with gravel
or course sand and buried one to three feet below the ground
surface. Perforated pipes or drain tiles run through the trenches
to distribute the wastewater. The drainfield treats the wastewater
by allowing it to slowly trickle from the pipes out into the
gravel and down through the soil. The gravel and soil act
as biological filters.
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Septic
System Maintenance
If
you own a septic system, it is important that it be properly
maintained. How often you need to pump the solids out of your
septic tank depends on three major factors:
-
the number of people in your household;
- the
amount of wastewater generated (based on the number of people
in the household and the amount of water used); and
- the
volume of solids in the wastewater (e.g., using a garbage
disposal will increase the amount of solids).
Although
your septic tank absorption field generally does not require
maintenance, you should adhere to the following rules to protect
and prolong its functional life:
- Do
not drive over the absorption field with cars, trucks, or
heavy equipment.
- Do
not plant trees or shrubbery in the absorption field area,
because the roots can get into the lines and plug them.
- Do
not cover the absorption field with hard surfaces, such
as concrete or asphalt. Grass is the best cover, because
it will help prevent erosion and help remove excess water.
- Do
divert surface runoff water from roofs, patios, driveways,
and other areas away from the absorption field.
Homeowners
wanting to take good care of their septic systems should make
note of the following items that should never be flushed down
the drain or toilet. These items can overtax or destroy the
biological digestion taking place within the system or clog
pumps and pipes.
Take
care not to flush the following:
hair
combings
coffee grounds
dental floss
disposable diapers
kitty litter
sanitary napkins
tampons
cigarette butts
condoms
gauze bandages
fat, grease, or oil
paper towels
and
NEVER flush
chemicals that could contaminate surface and groundwater,
such as:
paints
varnishes
thinners
waste oils
photographic solutions
pesticides
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Septic
System Brochures
If
you're looking for information on how to properly maintain
your septic system, avoid potential system problems, or are
planning on buying or selling a home with a septic system,
look no further. The NSFC offers a series of three brochures
about septic system operation and maintenance. These brochures
describe how septic systems work and give some general guidelines
to help protect the groundwater and prolong the life of your
septic system.
Download
our Informative Brochures Below:
(1)
So, now you own a septic system
(2) The
care and feeding of your septic system
(3) Groundwater protection
and your septic system
In
addition to these brochures, two issues of NSFC's newsletter
Pipeline are devoted to the discussion of septic systems:
Pipeline Volume 6, Number 3 (Item
#SFPLNL02) presents some information about how
septic systems work and where homeowners and community leaders
can find further assistance. Pipeline Volume 6, Number 4 (Item
#SFPLNL03) covers operation and maintenance in
detail. To view these newsletters online, go to the Pipeline
Archive section.
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EPA
Provides Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems
The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) provides information to homeowners
and assistance to state and local governments to improve the
management of septic systems to prevent failures that could
harm human health and water quality.The information provided
in the booklet is to help homeowners understand the function
and maintenance of their septic system.Click the title to
download the free booklet below.
A Homeowner's Guide
to Septic Systems
Recordkeeping
Folder and Information Package on Septic Systems
The
NSFC offers a septic system information folder, which was
developed by the NSFC and reviewed in collaboration with the
National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) and
the Pennsylvania Septic Management Association (PSMA). The
Homeowner Onsite System Recordkeeping Folder (Item #WWBLPE37)
provides a place to record and store information about your
system and its maintenance. On the cover of the folder are
sections for permit and local health department information
and for a description of the system. This description consists
of a checklist that covers septic tank and pump size, soil
treatment system dimensions, accessories, and household information.
Inside are tips for locating your system, space to sketch
the location of the system, a safety checklist, and a section
for recording the names, addresses, and certification numbers
of your system's designer, installer, O&M provider, and pumper.
The
cost of this folder is 45 cents plus shipping.
In
addition, the NSFC offers a Homeowner
Septic Tank Information Package (Item #WWPKPE28),
which provides you with this folder packed with materials
that give an overview on septic systems for homeowners. Included
are the three brochures mentioned above on how to maintain
a septic system and how to recognize potential problems. Also
included are the three issues of Pipeline also described
above that focus on septic system operation and maintenance,
management, and what happens when you have your system inspected.
A fact sheet on various alternative household cleaning solutions
is included that offers safe alternatives over chemical cleansers.
The
package costs $2.25 plus shipping.
How
To Order
To order
these products, call the NSFC at (800)
624-8301 or (304) 293-4191, or send e-mail to nsfc_orders@mail.nesc.wvu.edu.
Please be sure to include the Item number and quantity along
with a mailing address for shipping.
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