Your septic system is like a cafeteria for bacteria. The bacteria that are present in your septic system break down waste, and they leave the water clean enough to make its way down to the water table. Because of the importance of bacteria, the entire system is designed to keep bacteria healthy.

Some of the bacteria in the septic system are found in the tank, but the majority carry out decomposition in the drain field. Read on to find out more about how the septic system works.

The Septic Tank

The septic tank is one of the most important components of the septic system. This tank has a T-shaped outlet that stops scum and sludge from leaving the tank and entering the drain field. The septic system should be pumped regularly to ensure that scum doesn't end up clogging the outlet. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that, once the top scum layer is within 12 inches of the outlet, you need to call septic system services to pump your tank.

As waste flows into the tank, anaerobic bacteria start breaking down organic material in the effluent. A layer of sludge with heavier solids sinks to the bottom. On the other hand, the layer of scum that's composed of fats, greases, and oils floats at the top. During the decomposition processes, the effluent flows out to the drain field.

The Drainfield

The effluent that leaves the septic tank finds its way to the drain field. In the drain field, the water is further treated by the soil. Each time new effluent leaves the septic tank, it pushes the existing water further along into the drain field for further treatment. The drain field can flood if it becomes overloaded with too much fluid. This will cause sewage to flow to the ground surface.

In some instances, flooding can also cause backups in plumbing fixtures, which prevents the treatment of all wastewater. This is why it's important to have a reserve drain field. This is an area on your property that is suitable for a new drain field should the current one fail. It's important to treat the reserve drain field with the same care as your current septic system.

Soil

Once the septic water is cleaned by the bacteria in the drain field, it percolates into the soil. This is where the final treatment takes place via the removal of harmful bacteria, viruses, and nutrients.

It's important to ensure that your septic system is well taken care of. For instance, if your septic system is connected to garbage disposal, you must avoid dumping waste that will not break down into the disposal. Apart from that, you must get septic system services to come and pump your tank from time to time. Get in touch with us if you need septic system services.