What is a Septic System?
Wastewater flows from the house into the septic tank. Solids sink to the bottom of the first chamber of the septic tank and grease and fats float to the top. Bacteria inside the tank digests the organic material. The tank design allows only the liquid effluent in the middle of the tank to flow out.
From the septic tank, the wastewater flows into the multiple trenched making up the drain field, where the secondary treatment occurs. Bacteria found in the drain field further digests and purifies the wastewater. It them slowly leaches into the ground. The carefully calculated depth between the bottom of the trenches and the groundwater prevents any remaining harmful substances from reaching the groundwater. The soil between the two acts as a biological filter to further clarify the water.
If the depth and positioning of the septic system on the property requires it, a sewage pump maybe placed between the septic tank and the drain field. In this case, the effluent flows from the septic tank in to a dosing tank. From the dosing tank, the pump forces the wastewater [up] to the drain field.