Septic tank and drain field layout8/15/2023 ![]() This requires that the diverter box be opened and the effluent flow handle turned to the appropriate position.įailure of septic tank systems generally means failure of the drainage receptacles. Alternating drainage receptacles should be switched regularly (annually). ![]() As a guide, every eight years for a two-person household, every four years for a four-person household and more often for households with greater numbers, is recommended. The desirable frequency of desludging is dependent on the number of people contributing to the wastewater load. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to have the septic tanks desludged (pumped out) regularly.ĭesludging requires that a licensed liquid waste contractor be engaged to open the septic tanks and pump out the contents. ![]() This will clog the soil surrounding the drainage receptacle and should be avoided. This means not all the solids, grease and oils will separate and will pass out of the septic tanks and into the drainage receptacles. If the septic tanks accumulate too much sludge and scum, the effective volume of the tank is reduced which in turn reduces the time for separation to take place. When a septic tank system is correctly installed and maintained, it should work effectively for many years. The major function of a septic tank is to separate solids, grease and oils out of the wastewater before it enters the drainage receptacles. This is to achieve the required groundwater clearances and/or to allow effluent to be dispersed into and be absorbed by surrounding soils. In areas with either shallow groundwater and/or where only a thin layer of free draining topsoil overlies less absorbent soils, the drainage receptacles may need to be installed fully or partially above the natural surface. In these cases it may be desirable to surround the sides and base of drains with loam or other fine-grained soil. In contrast, some coarse sands can be so free draining they provide little ability to filter out pollutants. In poor draining soils, such as clay, bigger drainage receptacles are needed to increase the area of soil into which the effluent can be absorbed. The weight of a vehicle may damage system components and compact the surrounding soil which reduces its ability to absorb effluent.ĭrainage characteristics of soils are of importance in both the sizing and siting of drainage receptacles. Septic tanks should not be located where vehicles will drive over them. water supplies such as bores, creeks, dams etc.Septic tanks or their disposal systems must be installed to ensure minimum clearance distances from: This allows the unused portion to dry out which rejuvenates the soil’s ability to receive effluent. These systems are called alternating systems as they have a diverter box which can change the flow of effluent, allowing one half of the soak wells or one of the leach drains to be shut off at any time. Since 1989, most household septic tank systems have been installed with either two leach drains or two sets of soak wells. The remaining liquid, called effluent, flows from the tanks into the drainage receptacles to soak into the surrounding soil where it may undergo further natural treatment processes. Materials such as grease and oil float to the surface in the tanks to form a crust over the liquid. This reduces the quantity of solids and also changes its composition to sludge, which builds up in the bottom of the tank. When wastewater passes through the septic tanks, heavier solids sink to the bottom and undergo bacterial digestion. Septic tank systems generally consist of one or two watertight cylindrical tanks called septic tanks and one or two sets of drainage receptacles which have holes in their sides and no base e.g. Most unsewered developments in Western Australia use septic tank systems to treat and dispose of sewage, also referred to as wastewater. Sewage – faecal matter (poo) and urine (wee).Įffluent – liquid waste or sewage that has been treated in a septic tank system. The safe disposal of sewage and effluent is therefore essential to protect the health of the community. Sewage and effluent can contain a variety of human disease-causing microorganisms and parasites.ĭisease can be spread to humans from these by direct contact or indirectly by consumption of contaminated food or water. Ambulance fees for seniors and pensioners.Assistance with travel costs to receive medical care.Telehealth – delivering virtual care closer to home.Screening mammography with BreastScreen WA.
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