The Riddle of Your Home Waste Pipes Answered.
Have you ever wondered where all the water you flush or drain every day goes? Each home boasts at least one primary waste pipe that whisks away used wastewater from the residence.
For city dwellers and most urban households, these waste pipes meander to the streets where the main sewer lines are present. Below the surface, these large sewer pipes efficiently transport the waste to the closest local wastewater treatment plant. That’s where all the magic happens.
The Magic of Urban Wastewater Treatment
Local wastewater treatment plants are the unsung heroes in urban areas. These facilities treat all the city’s wastewater. In many instances, the treatment process is so effective that the resulting water is safe enough to discharge directly into rivers. This is possible because the treatment eliminates all harmful components from the wastewater, leaving you with clean, safe water.
The Rural Septic System Alternative
But what about homes that are not connected to the city’s central sanitary sewer system? Primarily found in city suburbs or rural regions, these homes use their own wastewater treatment system – a septic tank.
A septic tank operates with its own filtering system designed to break down the sanitary wastes from your home. Many homeowners add boosters to their tanks to speed up the waste breakdown process. But nature has it covered with a process that eventually transforms all waste into liquid. The clean liquids then drain out into a drain field system.
Modern septic systems include a complex combination of tanks and drain fields, where the treated water reintegrates into the ground. Pipes that exit the tanks, equipped with drainage holes, release the liquid. The surrounding gravel and loose soil allow the cleansed water to permeate into the ground and decompose.
The Evolution of Septic Tank Systems
Technology has left a stark impact on how septic tanks function. Over the years, the design and workings of tank systems have been refined to increase their effectiveness in treating wastewater.
At St Paul Pipeworks, our plumbers recommend having older septic tanks professionally pumped out annually. Modern sanitary systems are easier to handle, mitigating the need for constant attention.
The Rigidity of Local Septic System Rules
Today, local municipalities are stricter about the design and installation of new septic systems. When constructing a new house that requires a septic system, the plan needs prior approval from the local municipality.
They will conduct a Percolation test, or Perc test, to evaluate the ground’s porosity and determine the feasibility of setting up a septic system in that area. If the Perc test results are below par, the system cannot be installed in that location due to the risk of ground pollution.
However, don’t fret; the municipality will usually be able to discover a suitable spot on your property where the Perc test is successful. In rare instances, when all the soil on the property fails the test, an above-ground holding tank needs to be installed.
Questions? We’ve Got Your Back!
If you have questions about your waste pipes or septic tank or need a reliable professional plumber in the St. Paul and Minneapolis metro area, don’t hesitate to contact St Paul Pipeworks today.
Yours Truly,
Matthew Dettwiler
Social Media Manager
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