septic system : info & advice
Septic Systems : All you need to know about yours
Septic tank systems : an overview
Remember, if you need your septic tank emptying now you can phone 01432 353888. You can also email us or use our domestic enquiry form and we wil get back to you asap!
So how does your septic tank system work ?
The folklore of septic systems could probably fill a small book. like most folklore, the stories reflect elements of truth but they also feature ignorance and humour. It is time to get down to the facts. Septic tanks are in general, a natural sewage treatment system. These systems rely on common bacteria to literally digest & process the sewage turning solids into liquids & gas (smelly!). The overflow liquids are then piped to an in-ground soak-away system, where final purification is done by soil organisms. It is important to make sure that the soak-away is kept free from solids and so the septic tank needs to be emptied on a regular enough basis. Sewage treatment plants are much better at assisting this process and these dispurse a relatively clean waste water. Sewage treatment plants can discharge directly into a water course where available.
What is your impact ?
Because of our busy, changing lifestyles and the availability and use of many household products that destroy much of the important bacteria, the bacteria in the septic system struggles to tackle the increasing quantities of liquid waste that is flushed from the average household. Therefore, any remaining solids or sludge which this friendly bacteria can't break down, needs to be taken away periodically for disposal and mass-treatment at your local sewage works. A 'system empty' needs to take place usually every one or two years depending on the size, type & condition of the septic system. It may need a more regular empty where the local water table may be normally high. In any event, the detergents & other household products which we all use today only go on to slow down natures process in the tank. This means that the sewage needs to be disposed of at more regular intervals these days to prevent the tank filling with solids, and so prevent 'system overflows', soak-aways or drainage pipes from becoming packed.
What about using system additives ?
So far, no additives like enzymes or chemical de-greasers have been scientifically proven to reduce the need to have your tank emptied less often as they claim. These products or other bacteria's added would only compete with the natural bacterial process further. If one really wants to reduce the frequency of emptying the tank, try to reduce introducing none biodegradables or household chemicals into the system. This means down any of your sinks, toilets and tryto use baths, dishwashers and washing machines less often. There are also ranges of environmentally friendly household products widely available from your local superstores which can help.
Other common myths.
Most
theories about
starting up a new system deal with the notion of 'seeding' so as to get
good bacterial
activity going at the start of a septic systems life. This traditional
advice ranged from seeding with a pound of yeast,
with manure and even to placing a 'dead cat' or other dead animal into
the tank! Like us, the government 'Department of Health' simply
recommends 'do nothing'. The simple act of using and
emptying the system on a suitably regular basis provides all the
ingredients for your septic system to function well, provided there is
no blockages.
Remember : Don't 'sit on it' for tooooo long !
Those
who never have their tanks emptied at all are running the risk of
damaging or packing their soak-away systems & incurring large
repair costs as a result! Furthermore, the local and regional sewage
treatment works are now testing the density of sewage loads. The longer
a septic tank is left then the denser the solid mass is and through
waste testing at the local sewage works, one would incur a premium
charge to dispose. . . don't sit on it !
What should you do next ?
We are here to assist ! Simply email, phone or write to us today. Alternatively, you can use our domestic enquiry form to tell us about your requirements. Get the right solution today!
liquid waste disposal : the solution is clear
Call us anytime on Hereford : 01432 353888
Gloucester 01452
595888 ¤ Monmouth & Newport 01600
700888 ¤ Wormbridge
01981 441888
Registered Office : 85 Aylestone Hill, Hereford. HR1 1HX : www.aquassist.co.uk © 2011