How Do Septic Systems Work?
Septic systems are best described as underground wastewater treatment systems. They are most commonly used in rural areas and smaller towns like Odessa. Larger cities tend to have public sewer systems that do not require individual property owners who live within certain city limits to maintain septic tanks on their property. For the rest of us, septic systems are a must. Septic systems utilize a combination of natural movement & modern technology to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathroom sinks, toilets, laundry, and kitchen drains. The most common septic system we install will consist of a septic tank, used for the storage of wastewater, and a soil absorption field.
The tank itself is responsible for digesting organic matter and separating out matter that floats such as oils, grease, and solids from within the wastewater. When a soil-based septic system is installed, liquid is discharged from the septic tank into perforated pipes that are buried in a leach field. Other systems utilize pumps or gravity itself to move effluent (treated wastewater) through sand, or other organic matter. This removes or at least neutralizes pollutants like nitrogen, pathogens, phosphorus, and other contaminants from the water.