The Laundry Alternative Inc.
Can't find what you are looking. Try Here
HOME CATEGORIES WHY BUY FROM US BENEFITS FAQs IN THE NEWS ARTICLES Shopping Cart Shopping Cart : 0 Item(s)
College Students   Campers/RV Owners
College
Students
  Campers/
RV Owners
Environmental   Seniors
Environmental   Seniors
Frugal People   Single People
Frugal People   Single People
Septic Protector™
Did you know that lint from washing machines is a leading cause of expensive septic system failure?
Read Articles View Videos
Home » Articles»Septic Tank Bacteria
Back
 
Septic Heater
Septic Protector
Septic Seep
Title:Septic Tank Bacteria
Description:

Septic Tank Bacteria Information Page

Septic tank bacteria are crucial to the functioning of septic system. This is because a septic tank is designed to treat and dispose of waste water, not just dispose of it. It is important to understand how septic tank bacteria break down waste in your system, so you don't damage your system by killing them off. 

There are two main types of septic tank bacteria: aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic bacteria consume oxygen and are much more efficient at breaking down waste. You will normally find aerobic bacteria in the top 26" of the soil in a conventional leach field. 

Anaerobic bacteria are the second type of septic tank bacteria in your system. They are normally found in your septic tank itself, which does not contain any oxygen. The anaerobic bacteria will break down some waste, but you will also need to have your tank pumped out at least every few years. 

One of the most important things is to ensure your leach or drainfield is properly functioning. According to the US EPA, approximately 95% of septic system failures are caused when the leach or drain field gets plugged with solids. If it gets plugged up, waste water can pool up and won't get properly treated by the soil. Secondly, the aerobic bacteria in a plugged drain field will die off due to a lack of oxygen, further reducing the effectiveness of the treatment process. 

It is also important to properly maintain your septic system, otherwise the bacteria and some very nasty viruses can enter your well water. If the system is properly maintained, it will treat the waste water before the water reaches your well, but it it is not, you could end up with contaminated well water. The picture below should help better explain how this can occur. 


 
For more information on how to properly maintain your septic system, go to:
http://www.laundry-alternative.com/septic_system_maintenance.htm

As you may know from researching this topic, failing septic systems are a major financial and environmental problem in this country. Expensive septic repairs can often run from $5,000 to $20,000 or more and a large number of systems are failing throughout the country. For news stories related to failing septic systems and tightening regulations you can go to: http://www.laundry-alternative.com/failingseptic.htm

 
Did You Know ? New to this site In the News
© Copyright Laundry Alternative 2005. All rights reserved.