A septic tank is an underground chamber made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic

through which domestic wastewater (sewage) flows for basic sewage

treatment.[2] Settling and anaerobic digestion processes reduce solids and organics,
but the treatment e iciency is only moderate (referred to as "primary
treatment").[2] Septic tank systems are a type of simple onsite sewage facility. They
can be used in areas that are not connected to a sewerage system, such as rural areas.
The treated liquid e luent is commonly disposed in a septic drain field, which
provides further treatment. Nonetheless, groundwater pollution may occur and is a
problem.

The term "septic" refers to the anaerobic bacterial environment that develops in the
tank that decomposes or mineralizes the waste discharged into the tank. Septic tanks
can be coupled with other onsite wastewater treatment units such as biofilters or
aerobic systems involving artificially forced aeration.[3]

The rate of accumulation of sludge—also called septage or fecal sludge—is faster than
the rate of decomposition.[2] Therefore, the accumulated fecal sludge must be
periodically removed, which is commonly done with a vacuum truck.[4]

Description

[edit]

Schematic of a septic tank[2]

Septic tank and septic drain field

A septic tank consists of one or more concrete or plastic tanks of between 4,500 and
7,500 litres (1,000 and 2,000 gallons); one end is connected to an inlet wastewater pipe
and the other to a septic drain field. Generally these pipe connections are made with a
T pipe, allowing liquid to enter and exit without disturbing any crust on the
surface.[citation needed] Today, the design of the tank usually incorporates two chambers,
each equipped with an access opening and cover, and separated by a dividing wall
with openings located about midway between the floor and roof of the tank.

Wastewater enters the first chamber of the tank, allowing solids to settle and scum to
float. The settled solids are anaerobically digested, reducing the volume of solids. The
liquid component flows through the dividing wall into the second chamber, where
further settlement takes place. One option for the e luent is the draining into
the septic drain field, also referred to as a leach field, drain field or seepage field,
depending upon locality. A percolation test is required prior to installation to ensure
the porosity of the soil is adequate to serve as a drain field.[5][6]

Septic tank e luent can also be conveyed to a secondary treatment, typically

constructed wetlands. Constructed wetlands benefit from the good performance of
septic tanks at removing solids, which avoids them getting clogged quickly.

Septic tank e luent can also be conveyed to a centralized treatment facility.

The remaining impurities are trapped and eliminated in the soil, with the excess water
eliminated through percolation into the soil, through evaporation, and by uptake
through the root system of plants and eventual transpiration or
entering groundwater or surface water. A piping network, often laid in a stone-filled
trench (see weeping tile), distributes the wastewater throughout the field with
multiple drainage holes in the network. The size of the drain field is proportional to the
volume of wastewater and inversely proportional to the porosity of the drainage field.
The entire septic system can operate by gravity alone or, where topographic
considerations require, with inclusion of a lift pump.

Certain septic tank designs include siphons or other devices to increase the volume
and velocity of outflow to the drainage field. These help to fill the drainage pipe more
evenly and extend the drainage field life by preventing premature clogging
or bioclogging.

An Imho tank is a two-stage septic system where the sludge is digested in a separate
tank. This avoids mixing digested sludge with incoming sewage. Also, some septic
tank designs have a second stage where the e luent from the anaerobic first stage is
aerated before it drains into the seepage field.

A properly designed and normally operating septic system is odour-free. Besides

periodic inspection and emptying, a septic tank should last for decades with minimal
maintenance, with concrete, fibreglass, or plastic tanks lasting about 50 years. [7]
Emptying (desludging)

[edit]

A vacuum truck used to empty septic tanks in Germany

Further information: Fecal sludge management

Waste that is not decomposed by the anaerobic digestion must eventually be removed
from the septic tank. Otherwise the septic tank fills up and wastewater containing
undecomposed material discharges directly to the drainage field. Not only is this
detrimental for the environment but, if the sludge overflows the septic tank into the
leach field, it may clog the leach field piping or decrease the soil porosity itself,
requiring expensive repairs.

When a septic tank is emptied, the accumulated sludge (septage, also known as fecal
sludge[8]) is pumped out of the tank by a vacuum truck. How often the septic tank must
be emptied depends on the volume of the tank relative to the input of solids, the
amount of indigestible solids, and the ambient temperature (because anaerobic
digestion occurs more e iciently at higher temperatures), as well as usage, system
characteristics and the requirements of the relevant authority.

Some health authorities require tanks to be emptied at prescribed intervals, while

others leave it up to the decision of an inspector. Some systems require pumping
every few years or sooner, while others may be able to go 10–20 years between
pumpings. An older system with an undersize tank that is being used by a large family
will require much more frequent pumping than a new system used by only a few
people. Anaerobic decomposition is rapidly restarted when the tank is refilled. [citation
needed]

An empty tank may be damaged by hydrostatic pressure causing the tank to partially
"float" out of the ground, especially in flood situations or very wet ground conditions. [9]

Another option is "scheduled desludging" of septic tanks which has been initiated in
several Asian countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and
India.[10] In this process, every property is covered along a defined route and the
property occupiers are informed in advance about desludging that will take place.

Maintenance

[edit]

The maintenance of a septic system is often the responsibility of the resident or

property owner. Some forms of abuse or neglect include the following:

User's actions

[edit]

 Excessive disposal of cooking oils and grease can cause the inlet drains to
block. Oils and grease are often di icult to degrade and can cause odor
problems and di iculties with the periodic emptying.

 Flushing non-biodegradable waste items down the toilet such as cigarette

butts, cotton buds/swabs or menstrual hygiene products and condoms can
cause a septic tank to clog and fill rapidly, so these materials should not be
disposed of in that manner. The same applies when the toilet is connected to
a sewer rather than a septic tank.

 Using the toilet for disposal of food waste can cause a rapid overload of the
system with solids and contribute to failure.[11]

 Certain chemicals may damage the components of a septic tank or kill the
bacteria needed in the septic tank for the system to operate properly, such
as pesticides, herbicides, materials with high concentrations
of bleach or caustic soda (lye),[citation needed] or any other inorganic materials such
as paints or solvents.[12]

 Using water softeners – the brine discharge from water softeners may harm the
bacteria responsible for breaking down the wastewater. Usually, however, the
brine is su iciently diluted with other wastewater that it does not adversely
a ect the septic system.[13]

Other factors

[edit]

 Roots from trees and shrubbery protruding above the tank or drainfield may
clog and/or rupture them. Trees that are directly within the vicinity of a concrete
septic tank have the potential to penetrate the tank as the system ages and the
 concrete begins to develop cracks and small leaks. Tree roots can cause
serious flow problems due to plugging and blockage of drain pipes, and the
trees themselves tend to expand extremely vigorously due to the ready supply
of nutrients from the septic system.

 Playgrounds and storage buildings may cause damage to a tank and the
drainage field. In addition, covering the drainage field with an impermeable
surface, such as a driveway or parking area, will seriously a ect its e iciency
and possibly damage the tank and absorption system.

 Excessive water entering the system may overload it and cause it to fail.

 Very high rainfall, rapid snowmelt, and flooding from rivers or the sea can all
prevent a drain field from operating, and can cause flow to back up, interfering
with the normal operation of the tank. High winter water tables can also result
in groundwater flowing back into the septic tank.

 Over time, biofilms develop on the pipes of the drainage field, which can lead to
blockage. Such a failure can be referred to as "biomat failure".

Septic tank additives

[edit]

Further information: Pit additive

Septic tank additives have been promoted by some manufacturers with the aim to
improve the e luent quality from septic tanks, reduce sludge build-up and to reduce
odors. These additives—which are commonly based on "e ective microorganisms"—
are usually costly in the longer term and fail to live up to expectations. [14] It has been
estimated that in the U.S. more than 1,200 septic system additives were available on
the market in 2011.[15] Very little peer-reviewed and replicated field research exists
regarding the e icacy of these biological septic tank additives.[15]

Environmental concerns

[edit]
 A septic tank before installation, with manhole cover on

top The same tank partially installed in the ground

While a properly maintained and located septic tank poses no higher amount of
environmental problems than centralized municipal sewage treatment, [16] certain
problems could arise with a septic tank in an unsuitable location, and septic tank
failures are typically more expensive to fix or replace than municipal sewer. [16] Since
septic systems require large drainfields, they are unsuitable for densely built areas.

Odor, gas emissions and carbon footprint

[edit]

Some constituents of wastewater, especially sulfates, under the anaerobic conditions

of septic tanks, are reduced to hydrogen sulfide,
a pungent and toxic gas. Nitrates and organic nitrogen compounds can be reduced
to ammonia. Because of the anaerobic conditions, fermentation and methanogenesis
processes take place, which may generate carbon dioxide and/or methane. Both
carbon dioxide and methane are greenhouse gases, with methane having a global
warming potential about 25 times larger than carbon dioxide. This makes septic tanks
potential greenhouse gas emitters. The same methane can be burnt to produce energy
for local usage.[17]

Nutrients in the e luent

[edit]
Septic tanks by themselves are ine ective at removing nitrogen compounds that have
potential to cause algal blooms in waterways into which a ected water from a septic
system finds its way. This can be remedied by using a nitrogen-reducing
technology,[18] such as hybrid constructed wetlands, or by simply ensuring that the
leach field is properly sited to prevent direct entry of e luent into bodies of
water.[citation needed]

The fermentation processes cause the contents of a septic tank to be anaerobic with a
low redox potential, which keeps phosphates in a soluble and, thus, mobilized form.
Phosphates discharged from a septic tank into the environment can trigger prolific
plant growth including algal blooms, which can also include blooms of potentially
toxic cyanobacteria.

The soil's capacity to retain phosphorus is usually large enough to handle the load
through a normal residential septic tank. An exception occurs when septic drain
fields are located in sandy or coarser soils on property adjacent to a water body.
Because of limited particle surface area, these soils can become saturated with
phosphates. Phosphates will progress beyond the treatment area, posing a threat
of eutrophication to surface waters.[19]

Pathogens

[edit]

Diseases extremely dangerous to human contact such as E. coli and other coliform
bacteria are often reported following failures of septic tanks.[20]

A properly functioning septic system, on the other hand, provides significant

reduction of pathogens compared to direct discharge due to settling (in the tank) and
soil absorption (in the drain field). Log reductions of 4–8 for coliform bacteria, 0–2 for
viruses are achieved in the e luent. Parasitic worm eggs are also removed. Additional
filters may be added to improve removal performance although they will need to be
replaced periodically.[21]

Groundwater pollution

[edit]

In areas with high population density, groundwater pollution beyond acceptable limits
may occur. Some small towns experience the costs of building very expensive
centralized wastewater treatment systems because of this problem, due to the high
cost of extended collection systems. To reduce residential development that might
increase the demand to construct an expensive centralized sewerage system, building
moratoriums and limitations on the subdivision of property are often imposed.
Ensuring existing septic tanks are functioning properly can also be helpful for a limited
time, but becomes less e ective as a primary remediation strategy as population
density increases.

Surface water pollution

[edit]

In areas adjacent to water bodies with fish or shellfish intended for human
consumption, improperly maintained and failing septic systems contribute to
pollution levels that can force harvest restrictions and/or commercial or recreational
harvest closures.

Use

[edit]

Septic tank system in rural Southern Minnesota

In the United States, the 2008 American Housing Survey indicated that about 20
percent of all households rely on septic tanks,[22] and that the overwhelming majority
of systems are located in rural (50%) and suburban (47%) areas.[22] Indianapolis is one
example of a large city where many of the city's neighborhoods still rely on separate
septic systems.[23] In Europe, septic systems are generally limited to rural areas.[citation
needed]

Regulations
[edit]

European Union

[edit]

In the European Union the EN 12566 standard provides the general requirements for
packaged and site assembled treatment plants used for domestic wastewater
treatment.

Part 1 (EN 12566-1) is for septic tanks that are prefabricated or factory manufactured
and made of polyethylene, glass reinforced polyester, polypropylene, PVC-
U, steel or concrete. Part 4 (EN 12566-4) regulates septic tanks that are assembled on
site from prefabricated kits, generally of concrete construction. Certified septic tanks
of both types must pass a standardized hydraulic test to assess their ability to retain
suspended solids within the system. Additionally, their structural adequacy in
relevant ground conditions is assessed in terms of water-tightness, treatment
e iciency, and structural behaviour.[24]

France

[edit]

In France, about 4 million households (or 20% of the population) are using on-site
wastewater disposal systems (l’assainissement non collectif),[25] including septic
tanks (fosse septique). The legal framework for regulating the construction and
maintenance of septic systems was introduced in 1992 and updated in 2009 and 2012
with the intent to establish the technical requirements applicable to individual
sewerage systems.[26] Septic tanks in France are subject to inspection by SPANC
(Service Public d’Assainissement Non Collectif), a professional body appointed by the
respective local authorities to enforce wastewater collection laws, at least once in
four years. Following the introduction of EN 12566, the discharge of e luent directly
into ditches or watercourses is prohibited, unless the e luent meets prescribed
standards.[27]

Ireland

[edit]

According to the Census of Ireland 2011, 27.5% of Irish households (i.e. about 440,000
households), with the majority in rural areas, use an individual septic tank. [28]

Following a European Court of Justice judgment made against Ireland in 2009 that
deemed the country non-compliant with the Waste Framework Directive in relation to
domestic wastewaters disposed of in the countryside, the Water Services
(Amendment) Act 2012 was passed in order to regulate wastewater discharges from
domestic sources that are not connected to the public sewer network and to provide
arrangements for registration and inspection of existing individual domestic
wastewater treatment systems.[29][30]

Additionally, a code of practice has been developed by the Environmental Protection

Agency to regulate the planning and construction of new septic tanks, secondary
treatment systems, septic drain fields and filter systems. [31] Direct discharge of septic
tank e luent into groundwater is prohibited in Ireland, while the indirect discharge via
unsaturated subsoil into groundwater, e.g. by means of a septic drain field, or the
direct discharge into surface water is permissible in accordance with a Water
Pollution Act license.[31] Registered septic tanks must be desludged by an authorized
contractor at least once a year; the removed fecal sludge is disposed of, either to a
managed municipal wastewater treatment facility or to agriculture provided that
nutrient management regulations are met. [31]

United Kingdom

[edit]

Since 2015, only certain property owners in England and Wales with septic tanks or
small packaged sewage treatment systems need to register their systems, and either
apply for a permit or qualify for an exemption with the Environment Agency.[32] Permits
need to be granted to systems that discharge more than a certain volume of e luent in
a given time or that discharge e luent directly into sensitive areas (e.g., some
groundwater protection zones).[33] In general, permits are not granted for new septic
tanks that discharge directly into surface waters. A septic tank discharging into a
watercourse must be replaced or upgraded by 1 January 2020 to a Sewage Treatment
Plant (also called an Onsite sewage facility), or sooner if the property is sold before
this date, or if the Environment Agency (EA) finds that it is causing pollution.

In Northern Ireland, the Department of the Environment must give permission for all
wastewater discharges where it is proposed that the discharge will go to a waterway or
soil infiltration system. The discharge consent will outline conditions relating to the
quality and quantity of the discharge in order to ensure the receiving waterway or the
underground aquifer can absorb the discharge. [34]

The Water Environment Regulations 2011 regulate the registration of septic tank
systems in Scotland. Proof of registration is required when new properties are being
developed or existing properties change ownership.[35]
Australia

[edit]

In Australia, septic tank design and installation requirements are regulated by State
Governments, through Departments of Health and Environmental Protection
Agencies. Regulation may include Codes of Practice[36][37] and
Legislation.[38] Regulatory requirements for the design and installation of septic tanks
commonly references Australian Standards (1547 and 1546). Capacity requirements
for septic tanks may be outlined within Codes of Practice, and can vary between
states.

Mainly because of water leaching from the e luent drains of a lot of closely spaced
septic systems,[39] many council districts (e.g. Sunshine Coast, Queensland) have
banned septic systems, and require them to be replaced with much more expensive
small-scale sewage treatment systems that actively pump air into the tank, producing
an aerobic environment.[citation needed] Septic systems have to be replaced as part of any
new building applications, regardless of how well the old system performed. [citation needed]

United States

[edit]

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, in the United States it is the

home owners' responsibility to maintain their septic systems. [40] Anyone who ignores
this requirement will eventually experience costly repairs when solids escape the tank
and clog the clarified liquid e luent disposal system.

In Washington, for example, a "shellfish protection district" or "clean water district" is

a geographic service area designated by a county to protect water quality and tideland
resources. The district provides a mechanism to generate local funds for water quality
services to control non-point sources of pollution, such as septic system
maintenance. The district also serves as an educational resource, calling attention to
the pollution sources that threaten shellfish growing waters. [41]

Slang usage

[edit]

The term "septic tank", or more usually "septic", is used in some parts of Britain as a
slang term to refer to Americans,[42] from Cockney rhyming slang septic tank equalling
yank.[43] This is sometimes further shortened to "seppo" by Australians .[44]