Humans have been worried about what to do with their sewage for about as long as we’ve been settling down. Even the Ancient Greeks built elaborate sewage systems to make sure they stand up to their knees in you-know-what.

But they didn’t have modern septic systems, one of the greatest and yet simplest way to make sure waste doesn’t ruin your day.

What is a Septic System?

A septic system takes care of sewage. Every time you flush a toilet, that feeds into some form of septic system. Most of the time it is connected to the municipal grid, which carries the water to centralised plants where the water is cleaned and recycled. You pay sewage charges to use this system.

The alternative is an on-site septic system that handles the sewage locally. This may sound awful – our instinct is to stay as far away from sewage as possible. But in reality on-site septic systems are safe, easy to maintain and can be a lot cheaper than municipal charges.

How does it work?

There are several types of septic tank systems, each designed for different environments and volumes of use. But let’s look at a general explanation on how such systems would work.

Wastewater is piped from the building into a series of tanks. These tanks are home to bacteria, which break down the solid waste in the water. Such bacteria can also be called Sludge. That water then moves through a series of septic system filter and into a drain field.

The septic drain field is a collection of underground containers that slowly release the cleaner water underground and through a layer of sand. This ensures that the local water table is replenished with uncontaminated water.

This may sound elaborate, but septic systems can be installed in quite small areas. They are also incredibly self-sufficient: a septic system that is well-designed and respected can operate for decades. But the main tanks should be pumped clean from time to time to remove solid waste that couldn’t be broken down.

What types of Septic Systems are there?

Septic tanks designs vary in size and the methods used to destroy solid waste. The standard septic system consist of a septic tank which discharges into a soak away. The best septic systems are packaged wastewater treatment plants that use bacteria to recycle wastewater into water that is reusable for irrigation purposes and Biomites are a prime example of one of these systems.

When should I consider getting a Septic System?

Septic systems are ideal for any remote or rural location where access to the municipal sewage grid is impractical or expensive. But this is not the only motivation to invest in one.

Septic systems add to a building’s green credentials and self-sufficiency. Since a well-maintained septic system can last for a long time, it is a good property investment – especially if that property hosts a lot of people – such as a conference venue or sports club.

Good septic systems are also great for the local environment, as they introduce water back into the local system. This is safe and doesn’t contaminate the local water table. But nearby plants and lawns will be a lot happier for it. It can ultimately also help reduce bills, as you will spend less watering surrounding plants.