septic system
Underground sewage treatment
A septic system is an underground wastewater treatment setup for properties not connected to municipal sewers.
Household sewage flows into a buried tank where solids settle and bacteria break down waste; liquid effluent then drains into a leach field where soil filters it further.
Common in rural areas: The septic system needs to be pumped every few years.
Large storage vessel
- drainfieldWastewater absorption area
- baffleConfuse or perplex
- inletWater extending into land
- outletPoint of release
scum · sludge · effluent · pipe · riser · lid · pump · alarm
Contaminated drainage from buildings
- sewageLiquid refuse in drains
- toiletsWaste disposal fixtures
- hygienePractices maintaining cleanliness
- public healthCommunity-level disease prevention
disposal · contamination · greywater · blackwater · waste treatment · environmental health · cesspool · disinfection
Forcing flow mechanically
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- cleaningRemoving dirt and mess
- serviceAid or maintenance
- schedulePlan of timed events
upkeep · repairs · troubleshooting · contractor · checklist · preventive · regularity · additives
Wastewater absorption area
- percolationLiquid passing through pores
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
biofilter · sand filter · gravel bed · sedimentation · purification
Liquid passing through pores
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- drainfieldWastewater absorption area
- porosityVoid space density
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
saturation · clay · silt · sand · loam · permeability · groundwater · water table
Not requiring oxygen
- aerobicRequiring free oxygen
- digestionBodily food breakdown
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
enzymes · biofilm · nitrification · denitrification · decomposition · microbiome · pathogens · coliforms
tank
Large storage vessel
- drainfieldWastewater absorption area
- baffleConfuse or perplex
- inletWater extending into land
outlet · scum · sludge · effluent · pipe · riser · lid · pump · alarm · filter
wastewater
Contaminated drainage from buildings
public health · disposal · contamination · greywater · blackwater · waste treatment · environmental health · cesspool · disinfection · water quality
pumping
Forcing flow mechanically
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- cleaningRemoving dirt and mess
- serviceAid or maintenance
schedule · upkeep · repairs · troubleshooting · contractor · checklist · preventive · regularity · additives · risers
drainfield
Wastewater absorption area
- percolationLiquid passing through pores
- effluentDischarged liquid waste
- absorptionProcess of taking in
infiltration · biofilter · sand filter · gravel bed · sedimentation · purification
percolation
Liquid passing through pores
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- drainfieldWastewater absorption area
- porosityVoid space density
infiltration · saturation · clay · silt · sand · loam · permeability · groundwater · water table · absorption rate
anaerobic
Not requiring oxygen
- aerobicRequiring free oxygen
- digestionBodily food breakdown
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
microorganisms · enzymes · biofilm · nitrification · denitrification · decomposition · microbiome · pathogens · coliforms · fermentation
- home buildingframing, foundations, roofing, foundation, walls
- plumbingpipes, valves, fittings, faucets, drains
- building systemsHVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, heating, cooling
- sanitation systemssewer, drain, plumbing, waste disposal, wastewater
- installationsinstallation, app install, software install, cable hookup, lighting setup
- field sanitationlatrine, latrines, hand washing, handwashing, potable water
system, antiseptic, systemic, septic, aseptic, sepsis, septicemia, antiseptics, septicaemia