Septic Pumping

The purpose of the septic tank is to separate the solids from the liquids in the wastewater stream and to begin the process of breaking down contaminants. The septic tank can be constructed of concrete, steel, fiberglass or polyethylene and can range in size from about 500 gallons to 3000 gallons for most residential homes.

The septic tank typically has two chambers. The wastewater from your house, called “influent”, enters the first chamber and its velocity slows so that the heavier solids can settle out of the chamber, and the lighter materials can float to the surface. The accumulation of settled solids at the bottom of the tank is called “sludge” and the lighter solids (greases and fats) which form a mass on the surface of the liquid in the septic tank is called “scum”. In between the sludge and the scum is liquid waste. Microorganisms, like bacteria, and other natural processes act to decompose the waste materials in the liquid waste. Sludge and scum are also digested and compacted into a smaller volume. This is the first step in the process of purifying your household wastewater.

When the first chamber of the tank becomes filled, the liquid waste begins to fill the second chamber. The chambers of the septic tank are designed to prevent the movement of sludge and scum to the second chamber, allowing only the movement of liquid. Once the second chamber is filled, as more influent enters the first chamber, an equal amount of partly treated liquid flows into the second chamber, while an equal amount flows out into the leaching bed. The water flowing out into the leaching bed is called “effluent”.

The purpose of the leaching bed is to further treat the wastewater. A grid work of perforated pipes or clay tiles in the leaching bed area evenly distributes the effluent over natural soil or imported fill. Sometimes a distribution tank is used at the head of the pipes to more evenly distribute the effluent to the pipes. The perforations in the pipe allow the effluent to escape to the soil. As the effluent filters through the soil, microorganisms in the soil digest and remove the remaining impurities (such as suspended solids and/or bacteria). Eventually, the purified water reaches the groundwater.

There are many different styles and types of tanks. Some have 2 lids; some have 3 lids and the older style tanks just have slabs that span the entire width of the tank. You should always expose all of the lids in order to allow us to do the best possible job for you.

Every household is different, but as a good rule of thumb, a septic tank should be pumped every three to four years. Factors that determine when a tank should be pumped include the size of the tank, number of people in the household, and the age of the system.

You should avoid putting anything into the septic system that doesn’t breakdown naturally or anything that takes a long time to break down. Materials such as oils, grease, and fat, disposable diapers, tampons and their holders, condoms, paper towels, facial tissues, cat box litter, plastics, cigarette filters, etc., should never be flushed down your toilet. Basically, you should just remember that your toilet is not a garbage pail, and should not be treated as such.

All that is required by you is to have the access lids uncovered. Please do not lift them off though; our service technician will remove them at the time of the pump out.

Over time, sludge builds up at the bottom of the tank. The rate of the buildup will depend on the size of your tank, the volume of wastewater entering the tank, and the volume of solids in the wastewater stream. If the sludge is allowed to accumulate to the height of the outlet pipe, it could flow out into your tile bed, causing it to fail or block off the outlet completely, forcing the waste to backup into your house. If your tile bed fails, it can be an expensive repair. Pumping your tank needs routine maintenance, much like changing the oil in your car.