The Working Principles of Septic Tanks and Their Pros and Cons 

A septic tank is a major part of a septic system, a small-scale sewage treatment system common in rural areas without connections to local governments or private companies. Other components, generally controlled by local governments, may include pumps, alarms, sand filters, and clarified liquid effluent disposal methods such as a septic drain field, ponds, natural stone fiber filter plants, or peat moss beds.

When most individuals are bathing, doing dishes, or using the washing machine, they always worry about wasting water. It is no longer a problem once it has gone down the drain. To avoid penalties and stop polluting the environment, owners of septic tanks must follow the instructions set by the authorities under water-related legislation. It is the user's responsibility to maintain and run the system in a way that safely and efficiently treats the sewage.

Different Types of Septic Tank Systems

The primary benefits of different types of septic systems range from durability and strength to ease of maintenance. The material used to make a tank determines whether it is known for one or another quality. Tanks, on the other hand, have flaws that are related to their material composition. As a result, there are advantages and disadvantages to all types of septic tanks, which generally fall into the following categories:

• Concrete Septic Tanks: A concrete septic tank will often last several decades. However, the concrete may crack, allowing waste to leak and groundwater to infiltrate. When a backup occurs in a concrete septic tank, the blockage may prevent water from flowing out of your drains. Unless a manual check is performed on time, problems with concrete septic tanks can lie undetected for months, often well past the point when the tank is recoverable.
• Steel Septic Tanks: Steel septic tanks are prone to corrode and have a lifespan of no more than 25 years. As a result, steel septic tanks are not popular among homeowners. When rust takes hold of a steel tank's roof, the steel becomes weak and unsuitable for supporting above-ground weight. As a result, a person could fall into a steel tank that has rusted and lost its structural integrity. On the plus side, a rusty cover can be replaced without having to replace the entire tank. The entry and exit baffles, which are the areas where corrosion first appears on such tanks, are symptoms of a rusting steel tank.
• Fiberglass Septic Tanks: Fiberglass septic tanks are resistant to the primary flaws of concrete and steel tanks. Fiberglass tanks, unlike concrete tanks, do not break, and unlike steel tanks, they do not rust. Low effluent levels in fiberglass septic tanks do occur occasionally, and this is usually due to dislodged plugs on the tank floor. A fiberglass tank is also lighter than other types of safety tank systems, making it more susceptible to above-ground weight and probable movement when the surrounding soil is moistened.
• Aerobic Septic Tanks: Powered by electricity, aerobic septic tanks are commonly used when other septic tanks on a property have failed. An aerobic septic tank can cost up to three times as much as other septic tank types, but they are more efficient and require fewer drain fields. Aerobic tanks typically last for many years, even though they require frequent and often complete maintenance.

For more detailed information on septic tank types, you can explore this blog post: 4 Types of Septic Tank Materials

How Does a Septic Tank Work?

A properly built and maintained bio-septic tank can survive decades or fail in a matter of years. It's entirely up to you, as long as you know how septic tanks work.

Healthy septic systems aren't all that expensive to maintain, but a completely failed septic system can cost tens of thousands of dollars to dig out and replace. Prevention is more effective than cure, as the old saying goes. It's crucial to understand how a septic tank operates.

An intake pipe allows wastewater to enter the tank. While the water flows above, solid waste sinks at the bottom of the tank. When a new surge of wastewater enters, the tank releases the previous content and discharges it into the drain field. If there are clogs in the pipes, the entire process could be hampered, including sewage treatment. Any surplus water that gets into the drain field could cause overflow concerns if the tank refuses to hold incoming wastewater.

Working Mechanism of Septic Tank

Failed wastewater systems can create unmanageable circumstances, but a few basic precautions and preventative measures could save the owners a lot of hassle as well as time and money.

Please refer to these septic tank safety precautions at all times.

• Never lean over a septic tank entrance or push your head inside to inspect the inside; you could be overpowered by gases, fall into the tank, and suffocate. Allow qualified technicians to clean and repair your tank.
  
   
• Only enter a septic tank if you have received special training and are wearing specialized equipment and gear, such as a self-contained breathing device.
  
   
• Unless you have a self-contained breathing apparatus, do not enter a septic tank to rescue someone who has fallen in and been overpowered by fumes. Instead, you should ask for help and place a fan on top of the septic tank to allow fresh air in.
  
   
• Never work in or near a septic tank by yourself.
  
   
• Don't set fire to the tank or smoke cigarettes around it. This could result in an explosion.
  Make sure the tank and its access ports have solid and secure covers that cannot be removed or pushed aside by children or animals and do not collapse. 
  
   
• Old, crumbling septic systems should be avoided. Children, adults, pets, horses, and cattle have died as a result of abandoned septic tanks with faulty covers. Look for signs of sinking soil, rusted-through steel septic tank covers, home-made wooden or flimsy tank covers, or potentially collapsing cesspools and drywells.
  
   
• When excavating outside, keep an eye out for electrical risks. Make sure you don't cut an electrical wire by digging into it (or any other buried mechanical line such as a gas or water line). Electrical lines buried underground can resemble tree roots.
  
   
• Mark unsafe areas with a rope and a marker.
  
   
• Be on the lookout for unhygienic circumstances like surface effluent or sewage backups inside buildings, which could expose your family to major virus and bacterial risks. These backups may necessitate professional cleaning indoors.
  
   
• Avoid driving over your septic tank or plumbing. It has the potential to fall apart. If a septic line must run beneath a driveway, it must be protected with appropriate materials or installed in a concrete-covered and protected trench of sufficient depth.

These are the health and safety precautions for septic tanks that every household owner should be aware of.

Pros and Cons of a Septic Tank

One of the most common techniques for draining waste water from residences and buildings is the septic tank system. A septic system is made up of a septic tank that is located underground on the side or back of a property. Outgoing drains from a corresponding house's sinks and tubs (gray water) and toilets (black water) are collected in the tank. Gunk and waste are removed from the water inside this tank, and the water is then transferred to an incoming grid of drain field pipes, where it is released into the earth.

Septic systems differ from municipal sewer lines, which are managed by local governments. The main distinction is that septic systems service a single home, whereas sewer lines connect entire communities. Because sewer lines are more frequent in urban areas and septic tanks are more popular on rural properties, whether a property has one or the other will typically depend on its location.

For many people, the septic tank system has several advantages that make it preferable to a sewer. Whether you choose a septic system or sewage lines depends on whether you like the independence and responsibility of a septic system or the reliability and convenience of sewer lines.

Pros of Septic Tanks

Septic tank systems have a number of advantages and disadvantages. As a result, some homeowners prefer septic systems, while others prefer to use public sewage lines. Your decision may be based on whether you desire to avoid paying sewage bills on a regular basis but are willing to take on the occasional round of maintenance and other prospective repair needs. The benefits of a septic tank system over a municipal sewer line are largely financial and environmental. Simply put, if your home has its own septic system, you won't have to worry about writing monthly checks or polluting the environment with waste water.

1. Saves money

From the initial installation through the day you sell your home, a septic tank can help you save money in a variety of ways.

• Less Expensive to Install: Installing a new septic tank system is often less expensive than installing sewage pipes on a residential property. If your home is on more than one acre of land, a septic system may be the most cost-effective solution.
  No Monthly Cost: Because septic systems are self-contained on each residential property, they don't have the same monthly expenditures as city-operated sewage systems.
  Long-Lasting: A properly installed and maintained septic tank can be counted on to endure the entire time a home is occupied.

2. Better for the Environment

Septic systems, it has been suggested, are better for the environment since they do not contaminate groundwater as leaky sewage lines do. Furthermore, if a septic tank leaks, the harm is limited to a specific area of land and does not have city-wide ramifications. Septic tanks are also better for the environment in the following ways:

• Reduces Pollution: Septic tanks reduce pollution by utilizing natural filters such as drain fields and leach fields. The contents of the septic tank are strained before the effluent reaches the earth. Any germs present in the water have been eliminated by the time it reaches the field.
  Beneficial to local plants and fauna. Septic tanks recycle water in a way that is beneficial to local flora and fauna. The water encourages plant development, which in turn supplies food for surrounding tree squirrels, insects, and birds after it's released into the soil.

3. Best for Water Efficiency

Homeowners with septic tanks have every reason to realize the benefits of increased water efficiency. The average daily water use in a one-family home is 70 gallons per person, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. When you multiply this over the course of a year, you'll find that your septic system is flooded with tons of water.

Given the massive amount of water that drain pipes and septic tanks handle on a daily basis, there are several behaviors that people should develop in order to reduce the strain on septic systems. Breakdowns and maintenance emergencies will become less common as a result. Some of the most common causes of septic system strain include:

• Laundry loads that are inefficient. Over the duration of a 30- to 40-minute cycle, a washing machine uses a lot of water. Despite the fact that washing machines and septic systems are designed to manage such loads, some individuals use them at least once a day. Given that many of these spin cycles are only used to wash a few items of clothing, the practice can be rather wasteful.
  Not only are tons of gallons of water used each week, but septic tanks and drain pipes are subjected to maximum levels of water and garbage—all for a basketful of garments. To reduce the impact of the washing machine on your septic system, wait until you have a full basket of dirty laundry before starting a load.
• Loads of small dishes Dishwashers, like washing machines, need liters of water per cycle. The problem is that most individuals only run their dishwashers once or twice a day, never filling the cleaning trays. While it may appear handy to just run the dishwasher after each meal, consider the amount of water wasted and the long-term impact on your septic system.
• If you live in a small family with only one or two people, you should think about conserving water and energy when using your dishwasher. Instead of running the dishwasher after every meal, wait until it fills up, which could be every two to four days.
• Showers that are excessively long. Baths are a luxury that many people can't fit into their busy schedules in today's fast-paced society. As a result, showers have supplanted bathtubs as most people's preferred method of soaking in warm water.
• Because even brief showers require significantly more water than baths, this increased usage of showers has the potential to dramatically increase water consumption. This not only raises your water heating bills, but it also puts strain on your drain pipes and septic tank. The problem rises tenfold when two or more people take long showers in the same house on a daily basis. Set a timer to limit your showers to 10 minutes every day, and reintroduce the bath on a biweekly basis to break the cycle.
• Water that isn't running. People squander tap water on a regular basis without even recognizing it. When brushing their teeth, for example, people frequently leave the water running for the entire three to five minutes, despite not even rinsing the brush once.

When people keep the faucet running while doing dishes or washing their hands, they are also wasting water. Typically, 60 to 90 seconds are spent scrubbing or lathering up before eventually washing off in these instances. While these instances may appear insignificant in comparison to the excessive volumes of water used by washing machines and baths, wasting sink water can eventually cause damage to your drain pipes and septic tanks.

4. Better Care of Toilets

Another habit that homeowners develop with septic systems is toilet care. This is due to the fact that limits exist on what can be flushed down a toilet. Items you don’t want to flush down the toilet include:

• Paint or thinner. Despite the fluidity of paint and thinner, both are bad for toilets and septic pipes. Paint can create residue along with piping, making water flow more difficult in the long run. Thinner chemicals can also be damaging to the pipework.
• Cotton balls. Disposable grooming and hygiene products, such as cotton balls, are not the kinds of things that toilets are built to flush. Though it may seem handy and quick to chuck such goods down the toilet—aafter all, most hygiene products are used in the bathroom—doing so will just clog your septic system.
• Dental floss. It's reasonable that many individuals throw floss down the toilet because brushing and flossing are frequently done at the bathroom sink. That floss, on the other hand, could clog your septic system.
• Diapers. Toilets are frequently used for this reason by parents who are anxious to get rid of filthy diapers. Diapers, on the other hand, are difficult to dispose of since the material can block your septic system.
• Cigarette butts. Despite their softness, they are not designed to travel through toilet siphons. Though dampening butts before throwing them out is a good idea, they must be thrown away.
• Cat litter. Though flushing spent cat litter down the toilet is convenient, it can quickly result in a plumbing emergency.
• Paper towels. Paper towels are too thick for toilets and septic tanks, unlike toilet paper, which is soft and delicate enough to flow through siphons and toilet pipes.
• Automotive chemicals such as antifreeze, gasoline, oil, or pesticides. Chemicals, like paints and thinners, are not appropriate toilet fluids. Automotive chemicals contain toxins and substances that can harm pipes and deteriorate the integrity of the septic piping system.

Cons of a Septic Tank System

The downsides of septic tanks originate from the fact that homeowners are responsible for maintenance and repairs. Furthermore, the capacity of septic systems is somewhat lower than that of sewage lines.

• Need Maintenance: One of the most significant disadvantages of septic systems is the necessity for ongoing maintenance. Unlike sewage systems, which are maintained and paid for by the city, septic system upkeep must be paid for by you, the homeowner. A septic tank must be pumped every three to five years to avoid backups and overflow.
  They may need to be replaced at times. Septic systems, unlike sewer systems, are unable to handle sewage levels over a particular threshold. As a result, if a septic system is overburdened with sewage, it may fail. When this happens, the clean-up can be time-consuming and expensive.

A 1,000-gallon septic tank is usually required for houses with three or fewer bedrooms. A 1,500-gallon tank is often required for larger residences with four or more bedrooms. The frequency with which a tank must be pumped is frequently determined by the size of the corresponding home.

Conclusion

Alright, wrapping up our deep dive into the world of septic tanks, it's clear that these systems play a crucial role, especially in rural areas where centralized sewage systems aren't available. We've explored the different types of septic tanks, from sturdy concrete ones to corrosion-prone steel tanks and the more resilient fiberglass options. Plus, we've touched on the efficient aerobic septic tanks powered by electricity.

Understanding how these tanks work is key to maintaining them effectively. From the intake of wastewater to the separation of solids and discharge into drain fields, every step matters for the proper functioning of the system. And let's not forget the vital safety precautions—never underestimate the risks associated with handling septic tanks, folks. Safety first, always!

Now, let's weigh the pros and cons. On the bright side, septic tanks can save you money in the long run, offer environmental benefits by reducing pollution, promote water efficiency, and even encourage better toilet habits. However, they do require regular maintenance and occasional repairs, which can be a downside for some.

Ultimately, whether you opt for a septic tank or a sewer line depends on your preferences and circumstances. If you value independence and environmental responsibility, a septic tank might be the way to go. But if you prefer the reliability and convenience of public sewage systems, that's perfectly fine too.

So, dear readers, as you ponder over your options, remember to consider the pros and cons carefully. And whatever you decide, here's to a clean and efficient wastewater management system for your home! 

Cheers!