| Every time you flush the toilet or empty the tub or | | | | fiberglass or polyethylene. The septic tank, (or holding |
| sink, the water disappears. Have you ever wondered | | | | tank) retains all the solid waste extracted from the |
| where that water goes? If you live in a large city, it | | | | household water waste. The septic tank is connected |
| probably goes to a sewage treatment center or | | | | to a system of absorption commonly known as a |
| sewer. In Canada, a quarter of the population lives in | | | | leach field. The leach field then disposes of the |
| smaller communities or rural areas where such | | | | effluent liquid (water) into the soil. |
| systems are not set up. For these Canadians, and | | | | An Outline of the Septic System |
| many other people all over the world, a septic | | | | Below is a general outline of the main components of |
| system is used to process and discard of | | | | any septic system: |
| wastewater. A septic tank treats the wastewater | | | | - Sewer line, this is the main waste line leading from |
| and releases the usable portion back into the ground. | | | | your home's plumbing to the onsite septic system |
| Septic systems are also referred to as onsite | | | | - Septic tank, usually buried underground only feet |
| wastewater systems. | | | | away from the house, the septic tank receives the |
| How Does a Septic Tank Work? | | | | liquid and solid waste and retains the solids in the |
| A septic tank receives the used water created from | | | | tank. Baffles (or barriers) at the inlet and outlet of |
| regular household use and treats it until it is at a safe | | | | the tank slow down the flow of liquid passing through |
| level. Then the tank returns the usable portion known | | | | the septic tank and stop solid waste from escaping |
| as the effluent to the groundwater system | | | | the tank. Tanks with two compartments have extra |
| How is the Septic Tank Made? | | | | baffles and thus do an even more effective job. |
| Septic tanks are watertight structures usually made | | | | - Leaching system, also referred to as a 'drainfield,' |
| from concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene. Historically, | | | | the leaching system is basically an absorption system. |
| septic tanks have also bee made out of materials | | | | The leaching system distributes the effluent into the |
| such as wood or steel. If you live in a very old home | | | | soil around it. There are a variety of different ways |
| and you suspect it may have a steel septic tank, be | | | | to set up a leaching system, but the most common |
| mindful that rust may deposit on your tank. If this is | | | | is a series of underground perforated pipes buried in |
| the case, you will have to eventually replace the | | | | trenches with good drainage. The type of drainage |
| tank. In the event that your home has a wood septic | | | | system used will depend greatly on the type of soil |
| tank, it is eventually going to rot if it is not rotting | | | | that surrounds the property and the amount of |
| already. In this case, you will also need to replace | | | | space available for the leaching system. |
| your septic tank. | | | | Now that you have a basic understanding of the |
| Septic tanks are generally buried underground, and its | | | | components of a septic system and how they work |
| size will vary on the size and water treatment | | | | together, not only do you know how a septic tank is |
| requirements of your particular home. Tanks may | | | | made, but also how it works. If you own a home |
| have one or two compartments, depending on | | | | with a septic tank you understand it a little better |
| where and when it was installed. The septic tank | | | | now and you can go on to read about how to |
| basically consists of a holding tank, which as | | | | maintain your septic system. |
| aforementioned is manufactured out of concrete, | | | | |