The term ‘Septic Tank’ is commonly used to refer to all types of on-site wastewater treatment systems. This is not correct, there are many other types of on-site wastewater treatment systems.
Septic Tanks are simple systems that are made up of two chambers separated by a single baffle wall. Some Septic Tank systems can also incorporate a grease trap and greywater tank. Septic tanks rely on gravity to settle fats and solids from wastewater. The resulting effluent is disposed of in underground trenches. The remaining sludge is pumped out annually and taken to municipal treatment plants or toxic waste disposal facilities.
Septic tank effluent is not disinfected and is overloaded with damaging nutrients and bio-organic oxygen demand that degrades soil and water quality.
Eventually septic tanks fail and/or disposal trenches become exhausted requiring removal and replacement.
