Each time you flush the toilet, wash something down the sink’s drain, empty a water tub the water goes somewhere. But where does it go? What happens to it? Actually this water goes to a septic tank or a water treatment system.

A septic tank receives the waste water that comes from regular use of household plumbing. This tank is made of steel or concrete body and is rectangular in shape. The tank can contain 4,000 liters (1,000 gallons) of water at a time. This tank receives waste water from one end and delivers treated water from another end.

Sewer line is the line through which your home’s waste water reaches the septic tank. After receiving this waste water, septic tank treats it and divides it into different layers.

A septic tank has three layers. Top most layer is scum layer that contains the light weighted impurities that floats on water. Things heavier than water, sinks to form the sludge layer at the bottom of the tank. In the middle is a fairly clear water layer. It contains bacteria that start to attack and break down the waste immediately. This water also contains chemicals like nitrogen and phosphorous that act as fertilizers.

What happens with this treated water? The treated water goes to drain fields where the oxygen and organisms present in soil can decompose the remaining impurities of water. The water can be used by plant roots or can be stored as ground water.

The rate of filtration and absorption of water is little slow. This rate is directly proportional to ground size. If the ground is big, water will be absorbed faster and vice-versa. At places, where the soil is not very porous, the drain field has to be much bigger.

Septic plant should be big enough to handle the waste. If it would be small, the waste water will keep on coming in the tank and water will not get sufficient time for treatment. As a result, polluted water will reach the grounds and will spread pollution.

A septic system is normally powered by nothing but gravity. Water flows down from the house to the tank and further from the tank to the drain field. If you become little careful, you can extend the life of your entire septic system. Just take care that what you are putting in your drains and toilet. Minimize the amount of solid, non-degradable particles and scum forming compounds.

Scott Rodgers is a noted writer who has been providing ample guidance on plumbing works all over the country. His splendid knowledge has, in fact, sparked significant rise in revenue for talented plumbers across the nation, from Hurlburt Field Plumbers (Need one?click here!) to Chowchilla Plumbers (Need one?click here!).