1. Septic System Construction and Location
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2. Septic System A septic system has two main components:
the septic tank – a buried watertight container made of materials such as concrete fiberglass, or plastic.
the drainfield – also referred to as a leachfield, drainfield, or soil absorption system, consists of perforated pipes or chambers within a series of trenches or mounds lned with gravel and buried one to three feet below the surface.
Waste enters the tank from household plumbing and enters the septic tank. The tank holds the waste long enough to allow solids and liquids to separate and form three layers:
Scum layer – solids lighter than water, such as greases or oils, float to the top
Liquid layer – partially clarified wastewater
Sludge – solids heavier than water settle at the bottom of the tank
Treatment of the wastewater begins in the septic tank as naturally-occurring bacteria in the sewage work to break down the organic matter in the tank. Sludge and scum that cannot be broken down remain in the tank until it is pumped. The partially clarified liquid layer then flows through an effluent filter out of the tank and into the drainfield for final treatment.
The wastewater (effluent) entering the drainfield may contain many potentially harmful microorganisms and pollutants, many of which can be effectively removed through soil treatment. Water flows through the perforated pipes or chambers and slowly trickles through the gravel and into the surrounding soil, where the natural processes in the soil complete the sewage treatment process.
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3. Overview – Construction
Design and installation should be based on specific site characteristics.
Problems can arise from inadequate size, location, and poor construction.
Drainfield should be analyzed before construction.
Drainfield should be level with non-compacted soils.
Your septic system should have been designed and installed based on specific site characteristics such as the type of soil, number of bedrooms in the house, and wastewater contributing fixtures and appliances (whirlpool tub, dish/clothes washer, etc.). Obviously, a bigger house with more occupants and more contributing appliances comes a bigger septic system.
It should also have been installed by a licensed professional. Improperly designed and constructed systems are bound to have problems because they are often inadequately sized, located in impermeable soils, or poorly constructed.
For a drainfield to properly filter and treat effluent from the septic tank, its location must be thoroughly evaluated before construction begins. The soil profile should be analyzed by a certified professional to ensure the soil can treat wastewater and allow it to move into the treatment area.
The drainfield must also be level to allow even distribution of wastewater. It’s also important not to compact the soil in the drainfield—heavy equipment used during construction should be kept off the area.
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4. Overview – Location
Look for lids, manhole covers, or other markers to locate the system, or:
Follow the direction the sewer pipe leaves the house.
Carefully poke around in the soil feet from the house’s foundation.
Look for areas where the grass looks different (greener, a mound or depression, soggy soil)
Make a map of the system’s location once it’s located.
Locating the different components of your system can be difficult. You, a certified professional, the local health department, or other county or city departments may have this information on file. You might also see lids, manhole covers, or other markers that indicate the location of the septic tank. If not, use these simple steps to find the components of the septic system, the septic tank and drainfield.
First locate your septic tank. Go to the basement and determine the direction the sewer pipe goes out the wall or floor. (The sewer pipe is generally the largest diameter pipe, often made of plastic or cast iron.) Then determine the direction it leaves the house.
Using a metal rod as a probe, poke around in the soil feet from the house’s foundation, moving in the same direction as the pipe was headed in the basement. Be careful of underground electrical wires or sprinkler lines. Once the tank is located, you may want to place a marker in the ground to note its location.
To locate the drainfield, try looking around the yard in the same direction from the house for an area where the grass grows differently, such as areas where grass isn’t growing well, grass is greener, grass grows faster, there is a slight mound or depression or the soil is soggy when the rest of the yard is dry.
Be sure to make a map or drawing of the system’s location. You may also want to measure the distance from at least two reference points (such as the house and a tree or other landmark) to help in locating the system again.
If necessary, contact a certified professional or inspector to locate the tank.
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5. Did You Know?
Areas where the drainfield and septic tank are located are usually the last place frost forms, and the first place snow melts in the yard.
Commercial septic tank starters, additives, and cleaners are not necessary. (U.S. EPA, National Small Flows Clearinghouse)
Septic tanks are often constructed and equipped with baffles.
In winter months, areas where the drainfield and septic tank are located are usually the last place frost forms, and the first place snow melts in the yard.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Small Flows Clearinghouse suggest that commercial septic tank starters, additives, and cleaners are not necessary and may damage the system by interrupting the natural bacterial processes occurring within the tank and soil.
Septic tanks are often constructed and equipped with baffles, which prevent the floating scum layer from clogging the inlet pipe and leaving the tank.
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6. What NOT to Do: DON’T plant trees near the septic tank or drainfield.
DON’T allow heavy equipment to park on top of the drainfield during construction, excavation, inspecting, or pumping.
DON’T plant trees near the septic tank or drainfield, as roots can cause damage to the system.
DON’T allow heavy equipment to park on top of the drainfield during construction, excavation, inspecting, or pumping. This can cause soil compaction and affect the soil’s ability to treat wastewater.
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7. What TO do: DO know the location of your septic system.
DO keep a drawing marking the system’s location.
DO ensure proper siting and construction by having your system inspected.
DO know the location of your septic system.
DO keep a drawing marking the system’s location.
DO ensure proper siting and construction by having your system inspected.
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8. Contacts
Insert local contact information
The Groundwater Foundation
P.O. Box 22558
Lincoln, NE
Insert your local contact information.
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