Septic System Basics

Wherever you live, you have one of two kinds of wastewater systems: You may be connected to a town or city sewer network with a centralized water treatment plant, or you could have your own onsite septic system. If you’re in the latter group, this page will introduce you to the septic system basics – how they work, how to maintain them, and why they are a safe, reliable choice.

What is a Septic System?

A septic system is an onsite wastewater treatment system that processes and purifies household waste (effluent). The effluent consists of blackwater (toilet wastes) and graywater (kitchen sink, bathtub and laundry wastes).

A septic system has two components: a septic tank and a leachfield or drainfield (soil absorption field). Primary treatment occurs in the septic tank, where bacteria digest organic materials in the wastewater. The effluent then flows into the leachfield for secondary treatment. Here, bacteria complete the digestion and purification process as the wastewater slowly leaches or infiltrates into the soil.

Onsite systems for recycling wastewater have become a sustainable long-term solution in places where community public sewer systems are not physically or financially viable. Onsite systems make efficient use of space as land development puts new pressures on natural resources.

Download Our Homeowner’s Septic System Manual ›

Maintaining a Healthy Septic System

Protect your family's health and the environment with proper wastewater management. Regular maintenance and appropriate care can help you avoid a septic system disaster.

1. Conserve water - Large volumes of water entering the system in a short period of time will flush untreated solids out of the tank before this pretreatment process is complete
2. Keep drains clean - If it's not biodegradable, it doesn't belong in the system.
3. Regular maintenance - Most septic tanks need pumping every three to five years. High water usage may result in the need for more frequent service.
   Hire a septic system contractor to inspect your tank. Keep a regular maintenance schedule and record.
4. Keep surface water away - Divert water from downspouts, roofs, driveways and sump pumps away. Landscape your yard to channel rainwater away from your septic system
5. Encourage plants - Grow grass over the system to prevent soil erosion. Plant evergreens near the leachfield to absorb water. Avoid water-loving trees
6. Avoid physical damage - Don't drive over your septic system. Don't dig in the leachfield, or cover it with a structure, concrete, or blacktop.

Download Our Healthy Septic System Tips ›

Winter Maintenance of Your Septic System

There’s never a good time for a septic system problem—but maintenance is especially important during the cold winter months. These tips can help keep your septic system in top working order.

1. Pump the septic tank - If necessary the tank should be pumped prior to the winter season to eliminate accumulated solids.
2. Inspect the system before the first snow and ice arrive - Inspecting the tank prior to the cycle of freezing and thawing can detect any cracks or issues that should be corrected. Also, inspect the drainfield to ensure that there is no surfacing effluent, wet areas or spongy soil above the drainfield.
3. Inspect the plant cover on new systems - Systems installed in the fall may not have enough vegetative cover to properly insulate the system to prevent winter freezing. Placing a good layer of mulch or dry soil over the system is an important preventative measure.
4. Winterize vacation home plumbing - Septic systems require usage to minimize the risk of freezing. If the home is a vacation property that is not used regularly during the winter, the septic tank should be pumped prior to the first frost and the home's pipes should be winterized and drained.
5. Avoid snow compaction and placing structures over the drainfield - Although snow is a good insulator, compacted snow is not as effective. Homeowners should avoid driving over the drainfield, even in winter, and structures should never be placed on top of the system.

Download Our Winter Maintenance Tips ›

Public Health and Safety

When it comes to onsite wastewater recycling, protecting public health and the environment are the main priorities. Dangerous bacteria, microbes and pathogens must be completely removed from wastewater before it re-enters the groundwater. Infiltrator products are scientifically designed to provide more efficient wastewater treatment by optimizing the soil’s inherent treatment capabilities.

Onsite systems provide a passive, reliable means of wastewater treatment at a relatively low cost, while preserving environmental quality. As the population density increases, regulators and public health officials responsible for water quality have emphasized the need for regulations based on sound science and real performance.

Infiltrator sponsors and participates in a variety of programs, including field training, continuing education for installers, and curriculum support for onsite system design studies. The experts on our technical staff, along with our regional representatives, exchange information and seek solutions that promote better science, improved system performance and groundwater quality.