GENeral info
What is a septic system?
A septic system is an underground wastewater treatment system commonly used in areas that don’t have access to a centralized or a municipal sewer system. It is designed to safely manage household waste, such as sewage and wastewater, from sinks, toilets, and showers. In the state of Indiana a system must have two components: A septic tank and some type of soil absorption/drainfield.
A septic tank is an underground, watertight container that collects and treats wastewater from your home. It separates solids from liquids, with the liquid flowing into a drain field for further filtration by the soil.
A conventional septic system is a standard type of wastewater treatment system that consists of a septic tank where solids settle, and a drain field (also called a leach field) where the liquid effluent is dispersed through perforated pipes into the soil for further filtration and treatment by natural bacteria, essentially allowing treated wastewater to slowly seep back into the ground.
conventional septic system
Septic tank
A "mound system" in the context of septic systems is a type of drain field built as a raised mound of sand, used in areas where the soil conditions, like high water table or shallow bedrock, prevent a standard septic system from functioning properly; it essentially elevates the wastewater distribution system above the natural soil level to allow for adequate filtration and treatment before reaching groundwater.
mound septic system
Purdue’s Home and Environment Site has some good info.
more info
Do's and Don'ts
What are some things I can do to prevent septic problems?
• Don’t use a garbage disposal, it adds 50% more solids to your system
• Don’t pour automotive oil, cooking oil or grease down the drain
• Don’t drive vehicles over the septic system or leach field
• Don’t plant bushes or trees over the leach field
• Don’t use phosphorous detergents
• Don’t use too much water, especially during rainy, wet seasons when the ground is saturated
• Don’t pour paint or paint thinner into your sink (let it air dry then throw it out in the trash)
• Don’t use chemical or biological septic systems cleaners which can plug up leach fields and ruin your system
• Don’t wait, if your septic system shows signs of problems, act immediately!