Introduction to Septic Systems The septic system is a grouping of components working together to decompose household waste water. The septic tank holds the waste and breaks the organic compounds into a solid, liquid or gas. The solid waste called sludge settles to the bottom of the tank and must periodically be removed. The liquid waste is flushed to the distribution box and is then allowed to drain into the ground through a series of perforated pipes often called lines or a leach field. Gases follow the same path as liquids and eventually rise through the soil and enter...
a region. This is the hardest type of "failure" to prove.

REASONS FOR FAILURE OF SEPTIC SYSTEMS

A septic system failure, of whatever type, might have one or more of several causes.

Some of these causes might be:

High water table.

Slowly permeable subsoil clay, cemented pan, etc..

Inadequate setbacks from open water or wells

Organic material in mound fill

Fine-textured material in mound fill

Improper design and/or installation

Use of system beyond its designed hydraulic capacity

Improper disposal of solvents, grease, etc., in the septic tank

Failure to pump out

Excessive BOD, TSS, or other constituents in effluent