Households not served by public sewers usually depend on a septic system to dispose of wastewater. There are many different types of septic systems designed to fit a wide range of soil and site conditions. These include mound systems, sand filter systems and pressure distribution systems. This MontGuide should help you understand the operation and maintenance of a conventional gravity-flow septic system.

A conventional septic system consists of two main parts: the septic tank and the soil drainfield (also referred to as a leachfield, absorption bed or absorption field). At the head of the drainfield a distribution box or a manifold distributes wastewater to several absorption trenches. Some locations require that newly installed drainfields include a designated replacement areashould the existing septic system need an addition, repair or replacement, the replacement area can then be used.

How the system works

Figure 1: Septic System

Courtesy National Small Flows Clearinghouse

The septic tank. A septic tank is a large, underground, watertight container, typically about 9 feet long, 4-5 feet wide and 5 feet tall that is connected to the home's sewer line. While typically designed with a 1,000-gallon liquid capacity, the size of the tank is legally determined by the number of bedrooms in the home. (Septic tanks come under the legal supervision of counties in Montana.) Septic tanks may be rectangular or cylindrical and may be made of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene.

Raw waste water from the bathroom, kitchen and laundry room flows into the tank where the solids separate from the liquid. Light solids, such as soap suds and fat, float to the top and form a scum layer. This layer remains on top and gradually thickens until you have the tank cleaned. The liquid waste goes into the drainfield, while the heavier solids settle to the bottom of the tank where they are gradually decomposed by bacteria. But some non-decomposed solids remain, forming a sludge layer that eventually must be pumped out.

Septic tanks may have one or two compartments. Two-compartment tanks do a better job of settling solids and are required in some areas for new installations. Tees or baffles at the tank's inlet pipe slow the incoming wastes and reduce disturbance of the settled sludge. A tee or baffle at the outlet keeps the solids or scum in the tank. All tanks should have accessible covers for checking the condition of the baffles and for pumping both compartments.

Figure 2: A Two-Compartment Septic Tank

Courtesy National Small Flows Clearinghouse

Figure 3 Wastewater Treatment and Disposal In the Soil 
Courtesy North Carolina Extension Service

The soil filters the effluent as it passes through the pore spaces. Chemical and biological processes treat the effluent before it reaches groundwater, or a restrictive layer, such as hardpan, bedrock, or clay soils. These processes work best where the soil is somewhat dry and permeable, and contains plenty of oxygen for several feet below the drain field. The size and type of drainfield depends on the estimated daily wastewater flow and soil conditions.

Tips for using your septic system

• For future maintenance and to avoid deep root planting and other damaging activities in the drainfield area, make an accurate diagram showing the location of your tank, drainfield and replacement area.
• Keep a record of pumping, inspection, and other maintenance. Include name, address and phone numbers for installers and pumpers.
• To simplify tank access for inspection and maintenance, install a watertight concrete riser over the septic tank.
• The area over the drainfield should be left undisturbed, with only a mowed grass cover. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage your drain lines.
• Keep automobiles and heavy equipment off the drainfield.
• Do not plan any building additions, pools, driveways, or other construction work near the septic tank, drainfield or the replacement drainfield area.
• Do not put too much water into the septic system.

• Do not flush non-biodegradable materials such as plastics, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins and applicatorsthey rapidly fill up the tank and will clog the system.
• Restrict the use of your kitchen garbage disposalit increases the amount of solids in the tank, making them slower to decompose.
• Do not pour grease or cooking oils down the sink drain because they solidify and clog the soil absorption field.
• Don't allow paints, motor oil, pesticides, fertilizers or disinfectants to get into your septic system. They can pass directly through the septic system and contaminate groundwater. These chemicals can also kill the microorganisms which decompose wastes and can damage the soil in the drainfield.
• Do not use caustic drain openers for a clogged drain. Instead use boiling water or a drain snake to free up clogs. Clean your toilet, sinks, shower and tubs with a mild detergent or baking soda rather than the stronger and potentially system-damaging commercial bathroom cleansers.
• If a water softener is used in the home, the salt recharge solution should not be allowed to enter the system if the predominant soils in the drainfield are very fine textured and drainage is very slow. In these situations, sodium in the softener recharge solution may damage soil structure in the drainfield and plug the system. If you have a water softener, the size of the absorption field must be increased to accomodate the additional flow.

Figure 4 Septic Drainfield 
Courtesy Washington State University

How will I know when to pump the tank?

Table 1. Estimated Septic Tank Pumping Frequencies in Years

* Your local health department may be able to tell you the size of your tank.
 

What is septic system failure?

A septic system should effectively accept liquid wastes from your house and prevent biological and nutrient contaminants from getting into your well or nearby lakes and streams. Anytime these things do not happen, the system is failing.

For example, when waste backs up in your backyard, the system has obviously failed. If significant amounts of biological or nutrient contaminants reach your well or surface waters, the system is also failing, even though it may appear to be working just fine.

Why septic systems fail

Many other factors can cause the system to fail well before the end of its "design" lifetime. Pipes blocked by roots, soils saturated by storm water, crushed tile, improper location, poor original design or poor installation can all lead to major problems.

But by far the most common reason for early failure is improper maintenance by homeowners. When a system is poorly maintained and not pumped out on a regular basis, sludge (solid material) builds up inside the septic tank, then flows into the absorption field, clogging it beyond repair.

How to know if your system is failing

• Sewage backup in your drains or toilets. This is often a black liquid with a disagreeable odor.
• Slow flushing of your toilets. Many of the drains in your house will drain much slower than usual, despite the use of plungers or drain cleaning products.
• Surface flow of wastewater. Sometimes you will notice liquid seeping along the surface of the ground near your septic system. It may or may not have much of an odor associated with it.
• Lush green grass over the absorption field, even during dry weather. Often, this indicates that an excessive amount of liquid from your system is moving up through the soil, instead of downward, as it should. While some upward movement of liquid from the absorption field is good, too much could indicate major problems.
• The presence of nitrates or bacteria in your drinking water well. This indicates that liquid from the system may be flowing into the well through the ground or over the surface. Water tests available from your local health department will indicate if you have this problem.
• Buildup of aquatic weeds or algae in lakes or ponds adjacent to your home. This may indicate that nutrient-rich septic system waste is leaching into the surface water. This may lead to both inconvenience and possible health problems.
• Unpleasant odors around your house. Often, an improperly vented plumbing system or a failing septic system causes a buildup of disagreeable odors around the house.  

Could an additive help my system?

Although some manufacturers of additives have test data showing how their products perform, there has been almost no independent testing of these products in full-sized septic systems. The information that exists does not show improved long-term performance in systems where additives have been used. If a system is not being misused by the homeowner, these products are unlikely to pose a benefit. The amount of material added with each dose of product is very small compared to the biological material already present and working in the tank.

Occasionally a system suffers an upset, when the septic tank bacteria are harmed or destroyed. This can happen if the home is vacant for a long period and the tank receives no fresh wastewater, or if strong cleaning agents are flushed down the drain. After a few days of normal use, the biological system in the tank will re-establish itself. In this situation the biological additives may help speed the recovery of the septic tank.

Every septic tank needs to be pumped periodically, because all wastewater contains inert matter that cannot be degraded in the tank. No additive can do away with this need.

Could an additive harm my system?

For information on evaluating a septic system when selling or purchasing property, inspecting solids levels in a septic tank and septic system trouble-shooting, see MontGuide 9403," Septic Tanks: Inspecting and Trouble-Shooting." Required design features are set forth in circular WQB-6, "Standards for Individual Sewage Systems," published by the Water Quality Division, Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

Household Equipment, F-4 (Miscellaneous) Revised June 1996