{"id":1050,"date":"2020-01-11T10:17:54","date_gmt":"2020-01-11T15:17:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onsitesepticengineering.com\/?page_id=1050"},"modified":"2020-06-04T13:24:08","modified_gmt":"2020-06-04T17:24:08","slug":"learning-center","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/onsitesepticengineering.com\/learning-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning Center"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Learning Center<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Click on the topics below to learn more about septic and the systems that we employ<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is septic?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Decentralized wastewater treatment, or septic systems, refers to permanent systems that treat wastewater at or near its source, without connection to sewer systems. The economic and environmental advantages of septic systems prompt many homes and communities to make the switch when modifying, replacing, or expanding their wastewater treatment systems. Through proper design, maintenance, and operation, septic systems provide a compact and powerful form of treatment for even highly sensitive sites.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow does septic work?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The basic functionality of a septic system follow three general steps: Collection, Treatment, and Dispersal.<\/p>

1. COLLECTION<\/h4>

The waste and wastewater generated by a domestic or commercial building is initially collected by a buried septic tank through a pipe network. A septic tank is the most common pretreatment unit for onsite wastewater systems.<\/p>

2. TREATMENT<\/h4>

Treatment of wastewater occurs through various processes depending on the system. The septic tank is responsible for removing settleable solids, oils, greases, and floating debris, which are stored in sludge and scum layers and digested by acid-forming microorganisms. The scope of wastewater treatment is to create the proper environment and workspace for the microorganisms. We want to create an environment that is conducive to productive microbial growth, and provide media for the microbial colonies to populate and effectively digest organics. Generated gasses from digestion are vented back through the building plumbing stack, continuously sealed in water tight containers that eliminate any unwanted smells. Effluent water is only taken from the clear water layer out of the outlet tee through specialized filters that further purify the wastewater.<\/p>

3. DISPERSAL<\/h4>

After primary treatment, the water needs a place to go. Effluent water flows out of the septic tank by gravity or with a pump to a drainfield that disperses the water back into the ground. Effluent water is dispersed by pipes and allowed to naturally percolate through the soil to restore sources of groundwater. In many cases, the drainfields continue to filter out forms of nitrogen and phosphorous that could be detrimental to the environment. This water has now been purified, and can be safely returned to ground water or surface water sources.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow do you recognize a failed septic system?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Conventionally, septic systems should be replaced after 25 years. Years of use gradually upset the ratio of organic solids in the system and the microorganisms that break them down, making the system ineffective. This process is known as progressive failure. However, external disturbances to the structure of the system and improper usage could cause failure before the system’s lifetime is exceeded. There are three indicators of a failed system that homeowners should consider to protect the environment and their families.<\/p>

1. DYE TESTS<\/h4>

One of the more common practices to test for leakage in septic systems are dye tests. Environmentally friendly dye is flushed down the property’s toilet. If there is a failure in the system, the dye will appear immediately in the groundwater or surface water, depending on the site. This is typically done by government jurisdictions every couple of years to detect gross failure within watersheds.<\/p>

2. SURFACE SEEPAGE<\/h4>

Visual detection of sewage on the property is a red flag of a failed system, and must be dealt with immediately. The contaminated area should be quarantined to eliminate human and animal contact to reduce health risks. Please contact us for further instruction.<\/p>

3. PROFESSIONAL MEASUREMENTS<\/h4>

Even though your system may pass the dye test and there is no visual instances of sewage on the property, it is not guaranteed that your system is perfect. Water that is recycled into the environment must meet concentration levels dictated by the EPA and your local environmental agencies in order to ensure the safety of the environment and the public. These contaminants are difficult to detect without the proper sampling tools and equipment. Professionally measured biological, physical, and chemical properties include:<\/p>