Septic Facts

A septic tank is a large, underground watertight container, typically about 9 feet long, 4-5 feet wide and 5 feet tall, that is connected to the home’s sewer line. While most are designed with a 1,000-gallon liquid capacity, the size of the tank is legally determined by the number of bedrooms in the home. Septic tanks may be rectangular or cylindrical and may be made of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene.

Overflow of solid material into the soil absorption area should be avoided at all costs. When solids overflow, they clog the soil pores and cause septic systems to fail. One of the main causes of solid material build-up and overflow is bacterial deficiency.

Bacteria are actually needed in the septic tank to digest organic solids. Normally, it is introduced into the septic system via household waste. Unfortunately, many common home care products such as antibacterial soaps, toilet cleaners, laundry and dish detergents, and bleaches kill bacteria.