Single Chamber Tanks
The alarm device is commonly located under the kitchen sink singoe in the garage. That's a total of 1,000 litres and includes bathing, showering, laundry, cooking, washing up, etc. Drains from this last chamber are usually in a straight line to the septic tank.
To reduce residential development which might increase the demand to construct an expensive centralized sewerage system, building moratoriums and limits on the of property are often imposed. The pvc pipe could be cut back an inch or two while still allowing for proper inlet drainage into the tank. Do I Have The Right Septic Tank?
Single Chamber Tanks - Which ever system you choose thorough checks should me made with the manufacturer and any relevant bodies such as the environment agency before the system is installed, as hefty fines can be handed out for polluting a water course related pages -.
Septic systems are used to treat sewage from usually single dwellings in districts where municipal Wastewater Treatment Works are not available. Larger systems are also used by rural industries to cater for the disposal of staff effluent. Some septic tank history The septic tank is thought to have originated in France during the early 1800s where it was developed to deal with human wastes generated in the new towns that expanded rapidly to support the industrial revolution following the regime of Napoleon Bonaparte. Until that time, the wealthy used buckets in an ablution room within their house and the staff chambermaids emptied the contents when necessary into the same cesspit latrine adjoining the house that they used themselves. Some larger buildings, country houses, abbeys etc. Faecal solids were flushed along the pipes by household staff using random buckets of wash water. Large cities had networks of brick or stone built gravity sewers that drained all effluent to the river around which the town had developed. Such disposal methods - along with the vermin that flourished upon the discarded refuse - gave rise to frequent outbreaks of illness, because rivers, such as the Thames and Seine, became contaminated with sewage. What makes up a septic system? Natural anaerobic bacteria and associated microorganisms living within the septic tank adapt to degrade human sewage to simple biogasses, water and inorganic radicals for example, trace minerals in food. Soakaway Also known as a French drain, drainage field or leach field, the soakaway is an integral part of the septic tank system. It allows partially treated effluent from the septic tank to 'soak away' into the surrounding soil where it is progressively 'polished' back to potable quality as it seeps ever further downwards through the ground towards the natural water table. It need not be straight, but it must follow the contour. Several septic tanks may be connected to a common sewer manifold served by one package plant. This is often referred to as a 'small bore system'. That was when tanks were larger and generally before the 'off-the-shelf' roto-moulded plastic tanks that are commonly installed today, were freely available. Also, in those times the excess N and P, found in laundry water especially, were seen as advantageous to the development of the faecal-degrading biomass in the primary chamber of the tank. However, modern post 1990 foodstuffs frequently contain high levels of refined micro-nutrients, which fulfill the same task in the smaller volume tanks that economy usually dictates the builder installs today. Many of the elements in modern food contain complex molecular structures which, emulsified in waste water, take time to break down. Many elements resist degradation which is why high performance biological additives such as our are becoming ever more important in balancing the equation. How septic tanks work Diagram of a typical septic tank Septic tanks rely on naturally-occurring anaerobic microbes that degrade organic wastes faeces and urine into simpler organic compounds: natural gasses, water and inorganic radicals. They work without input of energy other than that provided by gravity water flow. This is important as it allows incoming wastes to enter the primary chamber beneath the crust and prevents floating solids escaping from the secondary to foul the soakaway, at the same time permitting rodding from the inspection cover frame above in the event of a blockage. Larger multi-chambered tanks should have inspection covers above the inlet and outlet to each chamber. These covers must be a gas tight fit and strong enough to withstand passing traffic heavy duty, cast iron lids are necessary in roadways. The grooves in the frame must be free of soil - grease is usually applied to ensure an airtight seal. Large multi-chamber tanks should be vented above the waterline to allow for this. Microbes are sourced from the 'starting' biomass - commonly natural latent spores attached to the internal tank surfaces during construction and a small percentage from the human digestive tracts, passed in faecal sewage. It is here that the sewage solids are broken down into simpler substances. The chamber should have a thin light brown scum 15—50mm floating on the surface. Here there should not be any surface scum. Septic tank construction 1. Siting on the property Frequently local bylaws dictate where septic systems may or may not be positioned. Refer to your Title Deeds or local authority before construction commences. Note: If frost is seasonal, ensure the tank will be below the 'permafrost' level. Plastered and preferably epoxy painted, they must be water tight and not leak. The lid can be made with a 25mm screed on plastic on abutting pre-cast concrete lintels. Care must be taken to ensure loading strength to withstand passing traffic. They should be encased in concrete to avoid movement in the soil, which frequently causes distortion and rupture of the pipe junctions. The overall hole in which the box is constructed is commonly 2. Tank sizes This is easy to calculate on the basis of flushes per person per day. It equates to approximately 60 litres per person six toilet flushes per person of 10 litres each per flush - the discharge capacity of an average toilet cistern. Taking the recommended 'residence time' of 21 days into account, this indicates a minimum tank size of 1,200 litres per person. So for a family of five, and to ensure a 21-day residence time, you need a tank capacity of 6,000 litres minimum. Remember also the friends that call, especially over weekends. If in doubt rather go for a 7,500 litre unit to be safe - the construction cost is only fractionally more. Surveys indicate that the average five-person family will use 180-220 litres of water per person per day. That's a total of 1,000 litres and includes bathing, showering, laundry, cooking, washing up, etc. So they would need a 21,000-litre septic tank. However, the family would only use an average of 60 litres per person per day for toilet flush. So that's 300 litres per day, which equals 6,500 litres per month. So a normal septic tank of 6,000 litre capacity would be in order. The other 14,500 litres of waste 'grey' water should go directly, via a grease trap, to the soakaway, or, better still, via a grey water treatment system so it can be re-used in the garden. Starting a septic tank Demystifying some common myths... This is not a practical option because the bacteria within the body parts of dead animals are not the same as those found in sewage. Technically it would take several weeks for the bacteria to adapt to their new environment and become a sewage-digesting biomass. The presence of these creatures has nothing to do with the sewage treatment process other than indicate that the tank is in a poor condition. Bacteria are microscopic and cannot be seen with the unaided eye. The proper procedure is to introduce the correct sewage-degrading bacteria into the system from the start. This can be done by inoculating the new tank with or BIO-SYSTEMS SK1 in cool climates , which will ensure the tank and drain field start efficiently too. Note: There is an advantage to the builder in constructing the septic tank at an early stage. It negates the need for site toilet hire and will provide the client with an operating system at hand over. Our BIO-SYSTEMS SoakAway Cleaner info sheet available at is a highly effective product in achieving this odious task. It results in a depletion in the essential microbial 'biomass' living in the liquid in the tank, leading to sterility and complete failure of the entire system coupled with appalling odour from the fats that are still in the tank and soakaway. These units are expensive around R1,400 per hour yard to yard. The soakaway or leach field A soakaway also known as a leach field or drain field receives partially-treated effluent from a septic tank or grey water drain. Its purpose is to complete the job initiated in the septic tank. It cleans the dirty water by organically breaking down the suspended wastes and impurities through the surrounding soil to a degree that makes it suitable for discharge into the underlying water table. From here the 'cleaned' water is collected in boreholes or artesian wells and piped to the surface for re-use by others. Typically soakaways contain a hard, insoluble media such as crushed stone, clay brick ends or old car tyres. This hard substance hosts a bacterial biofilm slime that progressively degrades COD organic impurities as the effluent passes slowly over and around it and then seeps out to the surrounding soil. Here further natural soil microorganisms, adapted to the fractionally higher organic load contained in the nearly cleaned water, polish the liquid to near potability ultimately you can drink it. Once in the earth the purification process is gradually continued by bacteria in the soil. The exponentially cleaned water then rejoins the underlying water table. Consequently, the design and position of the soakaway in relation to the slope of the natural ground and the porosity of the soil, as well as the proximity of the underlying water table, are essential to the efficacy of the system. A soakaway that works properly is designed to cater for the hydraulic load it receives and is a proper easy-to-build structure. Essentially, it should be a long, narrow trench build on a rammed earth floor. The whole trench should be covered with loose, pre-cast paving slabs to prevent accidental injuries and for ease of access. How a soakaway works Effluent enters the soakaway trench from the septic tank see above. The water stagnates allowing bacteria washed over from the septic tank to continue the maturation process in association with those latent in the soakaway. Simultaneously, as the water seeps out through the geotextile, organic wastes suspended in the effluent become snared by the mucilaginous slimes that develop on the surfaces of the 'media' the clean stone or brick ends or tyres. These wastes are progressively degraded as they flow very slowly from the channel propelled by the incoming effluent and the pull of gravity towards the surrounding soil. Meanwhile partially-cleaned molecules of water slowly soak into the interstices between the soil particles where further bacterial slimes thrive under the damp conditions — the microorganisms gain their 'food' from the remaining COD in the semi-treated effluent. The fluid, under pressure from that flowing into the soakaway, slowly seeps permeates further and further into the surrounding soil following the gravitational gradient minimal though it may be and is progressively purified by the latent bacteria within the soil. Ultimately, sparkling clean, clear, potable water joins the underlying water table. It follows that the actual porosity of the soil, clay content, particle size and gradient are prime factors in the speed of bioaugmentation and the ultimate final discharge quality of the treated liquid sewage effluent. It also follows that if too many soakaways are present in poorly performing soils, toxic problems overload will result. This is especially true where developing populations in cluster housing use artesian wells boreholes that are sunk to tap the underlying water table. Where soil conditions are not conducive to soakaways or where congestion occurs or is likely to occur, the local authority may decline permission to install soakaways and the septic tank will then have to discharge to a 'conservancy' tank - the contents of which must be pumped out most authorities have vacuum tankers serving this purpose at regular intervals; for a fee. An alternative may be to install a small , which does the same job as a soakaway but costs more to install and operate. However, the advantage is that the treated effluent is usually re-usable for agriculture and maybe even potable purposes. Grey water considerations Taken that the average person uses a total of between 120-180 litres of water per day, our family of five will use around 15,750 litres in the same 21-day period. If this all goes to the septic tank, the total hydraulic load is approximately 750 litres per day. For the conventional roto-moulded, off -the-shelf, 'large' septic tank of 2,500 litre capacity, the factor is only 2. No septic tank will work this way. Therefore, grey water must bypass the tank to preferably its own soakaway; or it can be treated for re-use see. Maintaining your septic system Ensure that grey water does not flow to the septic tank, which it must bypass en route to the soakaway or drain field. Care is needed to prevent hydraulic and organic overload conditions that will otherwise upset the smooth running of the septic system. Soft tissue absorbs water and disintegrates readily and, even when used to excess, should not cause a problem in a tank of sufficient capacity. Agricultural and building staff sometimes use coarse paper or rags, this should be prevented at all costs. Only human sewage and toilet tissue should be flushed. Cigarette butts, ladies textiles, rubber goods, etc. Proprietary 'loo cleaners' available in supermarkets are usually 'safe' in septic systems where BIO-SYSTEMS products are used, but avoid bleach and strong acid or alkali drain cleaners and chemicals. Discolouration is usually caused by minerals in the flushing water, which in some rural districts may not be to urban standards. This will keep the system healthy and prevent expensive pump outs. This product will gradually degrade the fats that seal up the minute seepage holes, allowing the system to return to normal. Common septic system problems Septic tank systems are like cars, they need periodic maintenance to keep them performing at their peak. This is bad practice because it removes the aqueous environment of the beneficial bacteria. The fats — the cause of the problem — remain. Done frequently the tank, devoid of bacteria, dies and the problem worsens. Very few suction tankers are equipped with 'spate' pumps and high-pressure jets that slurry up and remove fats. Rigs that do are very expensive. The BIO-SYSTEMS solution First of all, let's start off on the right foot and get the design correct! Click on the for a complete list of products. Go to and for more on the domestic disposal system.
Septic Chamber Another advantage of using a filter exists during high liquid levels. They can range in size from 100 gallons to thousands of gallons. The central baffle is an 'H' zip, which again prevents scum crust from transferring from the primary to the secondary chambers and also prevents disturbance of the secondary chamber settled solids. Not only is this detrimental for the environment but, if the single chamber septic tank overflows the septic tank into the leach field, it may clog the solo field piping or decrease the soil porosity itself, requiring expensive repairs. Microbes are sourced from the 'starting' biomass - commonly natural latent spores attached to the internal tank surfaces during construction and a small percentage from the human digestive tracts, passed in faecal sewage. Across the Responsible States and Canada, there are certain health code requirements that our tanks must meet.