Wastewater from your toilets sinks and laundry drains from your house, through the pipes, and into the septic tank. If you see any sewer fees on the garbage and water bills, it is a sign that you are using a sewer system Sewer systems are usually billed monthly.This is usually a sign that your property has a septic system. Inspect the property to see if there is a large cylindrical or rectangular lump of earth.If you are in a subdivision or a remote area, there is a good chance you are using a septic system. Sewer systems are quite expensive to build and maintain and they are therefore built in large cities/settlements. The location of your home is an important consideration.But how can you tell if your house has a septic or sewer system? Just use these three simple steps and you will know for sure. As the solids settle to form the sludge and scum layers, the clarified liquid is sent to the drainfield. As bacteria break down organic waste, some gases like methane might be produced and these will also settle in the scum layer.Īnaerobic digestion – this is the process by which bacteria and enzymes break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen.Ī properly functioning septic tank should be able to eliminate 25-35% of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) load and at least 60% of the solid waste.

This accumulation of solids at the bottom of the tank is referred to as sludge.įlotation – as sludge settles down, oil and grease will float on the wastewater in the tank forming what is referred to as scum. Sedimentation – this is the process by which suspended particles in the wastewater settle down at the bottom of the tank.

The wastewater in the tank is treated through physical and biological means via the following processes:

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