Septic Systems

How a Septic System Functions

The most common way to treat household waste in rural Wisconsin is with an on-site disposal system or septic system. These systems treat most waste through a natural process, the balance of the waste must be periodically pumped out.

There are three main stages in the treatment of household waste. The first is the septic tank. Wastewater exits the house via a sewer pipe and enters the septic tank. The septic tank acts as a holding tank allowing the solids to settle-out. The larger solids sink to the bottom where naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria begin breaking them down and destroying pathogens. The lighter solids, like grease, float to the top and form a scum layer. The relatively clear layer in the middle is the effluent.

Next, liquid effluent flows from the tank through the distribution box to the absorption area. The inlet and outlet to the septic tank are covered by baffles which prevent the scum layer from entering the absorption area where it would clog the field. A hydraulic pump is sometimes needed if the absorption site is higher than the septic tank, or if an elevated sand mound is used.

Finally the effluent arrives at the absorption field or drain field where it is distributed to the soil for treatment. The drain field field consists of several lateral pipes either in a rectangular bed or in individual trenches partially filled with gravel and covered with topsoil. Holes positioned along the length of the pipe allow the effluent to slowly flow out. As the effluent enters the drain field it percolates through the gravel bed where a large portion of the pathogens are destroyed. As the effluent exits the drain field microorganisms in the natural soil consume the organic pollutants and complete the treatment process. This percolation process is a natural biological one that can safely treat the liquid before it reaches groundwater, if the system has been properly designed and maintained.

If a soil has shallow bedrock or a high water table, the effluent can reach the groundwater before it is fully treated. To avoid this a mound system design is used to maintain 3 feet of separation from your septic system to these limiting factors. The system will require a hydraulic pump to lift the effluent up into the mound.

Septic Systems are provided throughout Southeastern Wisconsin

Associates Soil Testing Inc provides soil testing throughout Jefferson, Kenosha, Racine, Rock, Walworth, Waukesha Counties. Here are some of the cities we service regularly: Big Bend, Burlington, Clinton, Delafield, Delavan, Dousman, Eagle, East Troy, Elkhorn, Fort Atkinson, Genoa City, Hebron, Jefferson, Lake Geneva, Mukwonago, Muskego, New Berlin, North Prairie, Palmyra, Rochester, Salem, Sharon, Twin Lakes, Wales, Walworth, Waterford, Waukesha, Whitewater, and Williams Bay.