Show All Answers

1. Who has a septic system?

More than one third of the residents in Scott County use some form of sewage treatment method other than a municipal or city sewer system. This “other method” of treatment is called an Onsite (or sometimes subsurface) Sewage Treatment System (or SSTS). If designed and installed properly, an SSTS can be a cost effective and environmentally safe method of treating wastewater generated within the home.

2. Why does sewage need to be “treated” anyway?

Sewage contains bacteria, viruses, nutrients, some chemicals, and a small amount of heavy metals. These contaminants must be treated before they reach the groundwater, in order to prevent the spread of disease and environmental contamination. An SSTS can provide a high degree of treatment if the system is properly designed, constructed, and maintained. An SSTS treats sewage by using biological, physical, and chemical processes.

3. What is a septic system?

A standard septic system is generally made-up of two parts: a septic tank and a septic drainfield (or soil treatment system). The soil treatment system usually consists of either an in-ground system (trench system) or an above-ground system (mound system). An SSTS professional can determine which type of soil treatment system is needed, simply by analyzing your local soil conditions and determining the depth to the seasonally saturated soil (water table).

4. How does the septic tank work?

All wastewater containing human wastes, nutrients, dirt and other contaminants must be collected and delivered to the septic tank for primary treatment. Bacteria which occur naturally within the waste will begin breaking down the organic materials in the sewage.

5. How often should you clean your tank?

Your septic tank should be cleaned (maintained), by a licensed SSTS Maintainer, approximately every two to three years, with the exact frequency depending upon levels of use. The licensed maintainer that you choose will inspect your tank to determine if it needs to be pumped. If pumping is required, they will then remove all of the scum and sludge that have accumulated in your tank.

The cleaning of your tank must be performed through the 24-inch tank maintenance hole rather than through one of the 4-inch inspection pipes. As a homeowner, you should make certain that this is the case. Failure to utilize the larger and more centrally located maintenance hole will result in your tank being only partially emptied. This will increase the chances of the remaining solids floating out of your tank as it begins to refill, and finding their way into your soil treatment system where they can damage and shorten the life of your drainfield.