Thursday, January 21, 2016

Some Facts Relating To Septic Systems Kingsland Tx Residents Will Find Informative

By Diane Nelson


Septic systems are integral to the disposal process of household wastewater. They are especially important in rural areas where in most cases a centralized system is non-existent or is too expensive. They are generally simple in design and easy to maintain. There are a number of important things relating to septic systems Kingsland Tx residents need to know if they plan to install them or already have them on their farms.

A septic system comprises two major components; (a septic tank and the drain field.) The tank is usually made of concrete or fiberglass. Wastewater is drained here through the inlet. It stays here for a couple of days or weeks to allow for the liquid and the solid waste to separate. Light solid waste consisting of oil and grease settles at the top. The heavier waste settles at the bottom to form sludge and the water remains in the middle.

The two solid layers are broken down by bacterial organisms found naturally in the wastewater. Those that cannot be broken down through this process are retained in the tank and can only be removed by pumping. The liquid is released through an outlet pipe into the drainfield made up of a series of trenches lined with gravel and buried several feet in the ground. The drainfield helps to treat the water and to make it safer.

Regular inspection and pumping should be done to ensure that the system continues to function optimally. Inspections should be done at least once in three years. Pumping can be done at three to five year intervals. Systems that are fitted with electrical pumps and mechanical components have a higher rate of breakdown and should be inspected more frequently. Ensure that you have a professional to assist you through this process so as any defects can be identified and fixed.

There are a number of factors that have a direct influence on the frequency of pumping. These include number of people found in the household, amount of wastewater that is produced, volume of solids, and of course the size of the septic tank. There are a number of additives that are can be added to the sludge to help break down the sludge and reduce the frequency of pumping.

Greater efficiency in water use is another way of ensuring that the need for pumping is reduced. One of the areas that you can start from is in the toilet, an area that produces up to 30% of what ends up in the system. Conventional toilets require between 3.5 to 5 gallons of water to flush; newer ones require about 1.6 gallons or less. Changing these reservoirs will greatly help improve the system and reduce the need for regular pumping.

One of the problems that may occur when using this systems is overloading especially when too much water is used. When this happens, backups tend to occur and wastewater may flood the ground surface. This problem is solved by having a reserve drainfield onsite. Poorly drained soils make it difficult to set up drainfields. In such a case alternatives that use plastic, sand or peat are considered.

Septic systems will only serve their purpose if properly taken care of. Avoid flushing non-biodegradable materials such as hair, plastic and pieces of cloth down the toilet as this will increase the rate of formation of sludge. Ensure that regular inspection is done and any repairs that are required on the tank are done in time.




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