Septic Tanks

The most obvious components are the sinks, toilets, washing machines, baths and showers and the pipe work. The parts that are not so obvious are the underground components. Most people know where their tank itself is but are not sure of the situation of the soakaway.Bacterial action takes place in septic tanks where the end products are mainly water, gases, and undigested material, called sludge, that sinks to the bottom of the tanks, and scum, that floats to the top of the tank. Septic tanks contains baffles that prevent any scum and sludge from passing out of the tank. The gases that are generated vent to the atmosphere via a vent. From septic tanks, the segregated and relatively clear liquid flows into a small distribution box where it is then metered out to several perforated pipes. These perforated pipes then deliver the liquid to a large soil surface area, called a soakaway, for absorption. The soil also acts as a filter to remove any small amounts of solids that may be carried along with the liquid. The sludge in the bottom of the tank must be periodically pumped out and properly disposed of.