Septic System Filters and Tanks
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Differences in septic tanks and filters
Understanding your system
Most septic systems consist of one or two septic tanks or an aeration tank, or a combination of both, together with some sort of filter system. Some systems also have a sump pump.
While there are many different types and styles of septic tanks and filters, we’ve provided a list below of some of the most commonly used systems. If you have a system not listed below and would like to learn more about it, contact our specialists at 800-553-2339 to give you the details and upkeep procedures of your system.
Gravity Systems
A conventional gravity system is the simplest septic system available. This system consists of a septic tank and a drainfield. The septic tank receives gravity flow from the home. A bio-microbial process treats the waste while in the tank. Solid waste settles in the tank while liquid effluent flows through an outlet. Gravity flow carries that effluent to a drainfield where it is dispersed among lateral lines into the soil.
Pressure Distribution Systems
A pressure distribution system uses a pump to pressurize the drain field to equally disperse the effluent throughout the drain field. The system usually includes a septic tank where the primary bio-microbial process happens, a pump tank, and a drain field that can either be uphill or downhill of the tanks.
Aerobic Systems
An aerobic system uses an aeration pump to introduce oxygen into one of the chambers to speed up the bio-microbial process. Waste enters the tank from the home before settling and beginning the bio-microbial treatment process. The waste moves into an aerobic tank where solids continue to settle and an aeration pump continually pumps air into the effluent before it enters another compartment in the tank to be pumped to a pressurized drain field.
Sand Filter
A sand filter treatment system incorporates a large sand filter between the pump chamber and the drain field. Waste enters the septic tank from the home. Effluent then flows to the pump chamber where it is pumped to a sand filter. The effluent is dispersed equally throughout the sand filter. At the bottom of the sand filter, effluent is pumped to the pressurized drain field.
Subsurface Drip
A subsurface drip system uses very long drip line loops. Waste enters the trash tank from the house and flows to the aerobic treatment tank, where it is treated with aeration before flowing back to the trash tank. Then the system pumps effluent into drip line loops with small emitters where it is dispersed into the soil.
Mound Systems
Mounds are above-ground septic systems that include a septic tank, pump tank, and drain field in a mound of sand. Waste enters the septic tank and begins to settle while effluent enters the tank through an outlet. Further settling occurs and effluent is pumped at timed intervals to a valve box, which evenly distributes the flow through the lines where the sand filters the effluent before it reaches the soil for final dispersion.