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THE
OPERATION OF A SEPTIC TANK
A
Septic Tank is a form of holding chamber utilising a form of internal
construction to slow down the flow through the tank unit. The outlet
from the septic tank leads to a soakaway system below the ground
surface.
The diagram shows a traditional single septic
tank having just one chamber and using inlet and outlet T pipes. This
is the simplest form of septic tank and works as follows:
1/.
Sewage enters via the inlet T pipe and discharges to the lower of the
tank.
2/.
Gravity pulls the solids in the sewage to the base and via
anaerobic biological action, a scum layer can form on the surface.
3/.
Effluent ( with a very low solids content ) leaves via the outlet T
pipe. This can then enter a second or third chamber and then lead to a
soakaway field drainage system.
The
basic principle is to remove as much of the solids content from the
final effluent as possible.
Below
is a modern septic tank formed via a resin mould. This type of tank is
very efficient and has internal baffles which reduce the flow and allow
solids to settle to the base.
 A
Modern Alpha Septic Tank ( as produced by Klargester
& Titan Ltd )
By
understanding the basics of a septic tank you may be able to appreciate
the problems that can be encountered, see (How
Does A Soakaway Work).
Please return to Septic Tank Help
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