Smelly Septic System

A septic tank, the key component of a septic system, is a small scale sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main sewage pipes provided by private corporations or local governments. Septic systems are a type of On-Site Sewage Facility. In North America approximately 25% of the population relies on septic tanks; this can include suburbs and small towns as well as rural areas. In Europe they are generally limited to rural areas only.

The term “septic” refers to the anaerobic bacterial environment that develops in the tank and which decomposes or mineralizes the waste discharged into the tank. Adding a supplemental bacterial agent to the tank may accelerate the digestion of solids in the tank. Septic tanks can be coupled with other on-site wastewater treatment units such as biofilters or aerobic systems involving artificial forced aeration.

The UK DIY-blog reports that a recent statement to the US congress has suggested that home owners failing to look after or properly maintain their residential septic systems have the potential of causing lasting damage to the surrounding environment by contaminating the areas ground water and potentially posing a health risk to their home.

Those of you that own a septic system, how do you take care of it?