Why septic tank

It is an offence to commence construction of a wastewater system without an approval. Before it can be used, the local government must inspect the system to ensure it is installed correctly. If satisfactory, the local government will issue an approval for the system to be used. Fees are payable for approval and inspection of septic systems. Find contact details for your local government external site. The major function of a septic tank is to separate solids, grease and oils out of the wastewater before it enters the drainage receptacles.

When a septic tank system is correctly installed and maintained, it should work effectively for many years. If the septic tanks accumulate too much sludge and scum, the effective volume of the tank is reduced which in turn reduces the time for separation to take place. This means not all the solids, grease and oils will separate and will pass out of the septic tanks and into the drainage receptacles.

This will clog the soil surrounding the drainage receptacle and should be avoided. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to have the septic tanks desludged pumped out regularly. Desludging requires that a licensed liquid waste contractor be engaged to open the septic tanks and pump out the contents. The desirable frequency of desludging is dependent on the number of people contributing to the wastewater load. As a guide, every eight years for a two-person household, every four years for a four-person household and more often for households with greater numbers, is recommended.

Alternating drainage receptacles should be switched regularly annually. This requires that the diverter box be opened and the effluent flow handle turned to the appropriate position. Failure of septic tank systems generally means failure of the drainage receptacles. Failure is most commonly seen in older systems constructed with a single non-alternating drainage receptacle, particularly if large volumes of water are frequently used, or in systems that have not been correctly installed or maintained.

In systems that have been used for some time, the soil surrounding the drainage receptacle can begin to clog up. Effluent is less able to freely soak into the surrounding soil and begins to accumulate in the drainage receptacle until it fills up. When soils surrounding the drainage receptacle clog, remedial measures are necessary. These may include pumping out of the entire system and replacement of the clogged soil or the installation of an additional drainage receptacle and diverter box to allow the old drainage receptacle to be rested.

In recent years many products purporting to improve performance, remove the need for desludging, increase the life expectancy, and fix failing septic tank systems have become available. The Health Department of Western Australia does not promote the use of these products.

If a property that has a septic tank is then connected to a sewage system, the disused septic tank will ultimately require decommissioning. This entails pumping the contents out of the tanks preferably followed by removal of the system.

If removal is not possible due to the base of the impervious tank being broken, the entire system tanks, leachdrains and soakwells must be backfilled with clean soil. To ensure owners are not discouraged from connecting to sewer when it becomes available, there is no legal obligation to have the disused system decommissioned at the time of sewer connection.

Septic tank systems are now available in lightweight materials such as plastics and fibreglass and can also come in disassembled components for ease of transport. Another development is the use of filters on the outlet of septic tanks which reduces the amount of solids in the outgoing effluent. These are not yet commonly used in Western Australia. Like an automobile, septic systems are designed to provide long-term, effective treatment of household waste when operated and maintained properly.

However, most systems that fail prematurely are due to improper maintenance. If you notice any of the following signs or if you suspect your septic system may be having problems, contact a qualified septic professional. Should your septic system fail, contact Thurston County Environmental Health at Septic System Basics. How Septic Systems Work Households that are not served by public sewers usually depend on septic systems to treat and dispose of wastewater.

A standard septic tank system has three main parts: The Septic Tank — A septic tank's purpose is to separate solids from the wastewater, store and partially decompose as much solid material as possible, while allowing the liquid or effluent to go to the drainfield. After the wastewater has passed into the soil, organisms in the soil treat the effluent before it percolates downward and outward, eventually entering ground or surface water. The type of soil also impacts the effectiveness of the drainfield; for instance, clay soils may be too tight to allow much wastewater to pass through and gravelly soil may be too coarse to provide much treatment.

Maintenance Tips Homeowners and residents have a great effect on septic system performance. Inspect and Pump Frequently The most important step to maintaining your septic tank is to remove sludge and scum build-up before it washes into the drainfield. Keep Chemicals Out of Your System Keep household chemicals out of your septic system, such as caustic drain openers, paints, pesticides, photographic chemicals, brake fluid, gasoline, and motor oil.

Septic System Additives Adding a stimulator or an enhancer to a septic tank to help it function or "to restore bacterial balance" is not necessary.

What Can Go Wrong? Odors, surfacing sewage, wet spots, or lush vegetation growth in the drainfield area Plumbing or septic tank backups often a black liquid with a disagreeable odor Slow draining fixtures Gurgling sounds in the plumbing system If you have a well and tests show the presence of coliform bacteria or nitrates, your drainfield may be failing Lush green grass over the drainfield, even during dry weather.

Financial Assistance. It is an underground watertight container mostly rectangular or round made of fibre glass, plastic or concrete. The Compartments in a septic tank and normally a T-shaped outlet prevent the sludge and scum from leaving the tank and travelling into the drain field area. Septic tank systems are a type of simple onsite sewage facility OSSF and only provide a basic treatment. For homes that have poor drainage or are not connected to the mains sewage network septic tanks allow a safe disposal of wastewater.

They work by collecting the excreta and wastewater in one big underground tank, they are predominantly used in rural areas. Septic tanks are installed underground normally 50 metres away from the household. They are usually made up of two chambers or compartments and one tank that receives wastewater from an inlet pipe. For those that live in cities and towns septic tanks are not needed as waste water will be transported and dealt with their sewage system.

A septic system will allow any house to use water facilities as normal. However,there are additional precautions that need to be adhered to. Regular maintenance of the septic tank will also be required. Homeowners with a septic tank have an additional duty to ensure their tank does not impact the local environment. For example, If the drain field is overloaded with too much liquid, it can flood, causing sewage to flow to the ground surface or create backups in toilets and sinks. A septic tank will digest organic matter and separate float able matter e.

The inlet pipe is used to transport the water waste from the house and collect it in the septic tank. It is kept here long enough so that the solid and liquid waste is separated from each other.