Septic 101: The Difference between the tank and the leach field in your septic system
A septic tank is a critical component of a septic system, which is a small-scale sewage treatment system. It is commonly utilized in areas lacking connections to main sewage pipes provided by local governments or private corporations. The tank, usually made from concrete, fiberglass, or plastic, is buried underground, and it is where domestic wastewater flows for preliminary treatment. Within the tank, solids and organics are separated from the liquid sewage, undergoing partial decomposition by bacteria. The liquid effluent then leaves the tank and is typically released into a drain field for further natural filtration. Sludge accumulates at the tank’s bottom and requires periodic pumping to maintain proper system functionality. Septic tanks are extensively employed in rural areas and properties where installing a sewer line would be impractical.
The leach field, which is also known as a drain field or absorption field, is the second component of the septic system where the liquid effluent from the septic tank flows. It consists of a series of pipes with holes laid in gravel-filled trenches or beds in the ground. The effluent slowly soaks through the gravel and into the soil, where further treatment occurs. Microorganisms in the soil decompose nutrients and pathogens in the effluent, and the purified water then seeps deeper into the ground or evaporates, returning to the natural water cycle. In summary, the septic tank primarily separates and breaks down solids and organics from the wastewater, while the leach field disperses the liquid effluent into the ground for further treatment and dispersal. Both parts are crucial for the effective processing and disposal of household wastewater in a septic system.
