Plumbing systems are essential to moving water throughout your house as well as removing wastewater. Wastewater leaves the house and goes to a septic tank or a sewage facility for treatment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, one-fourth of American homes use septic systems, which are underground containers on the homeowner's property where waste separates into scum and sludge before purification. A multiflow septic tank is an alternative for onsite waste-water treatment that features aeration and filtration in one unit.
Overview of Septic Tanks
Septic tanks are self-contained systems and use natural processes for treatment. They vary in size depending on the size of the house and local requirements. The main parts of the system are the tank and the absorption field, also known as a drain field. The septic tank decomposes solids using bacteria found in wastewater. The products-sludge and scum are stored in the tank until removal. Upon reaching the absorption field, this liquid is distributed to underground filters of gravel and soil.
Multiflow Septic Tank Functions
A multiflow septic tank aerates and filters sewage in one tank. When wastewater enters these systems, an aerator dissolves oxygen into the liquid to promote bacterial growth for decomposition. Within the tank are filters to keep solids from leaving the tank. These filters also contain bacteria for decomposing sewage.
Benefits of a Multiflow Septic System
Septic systems are traditionally used in rural areas or where houses are far apart. Onsite treatment avoids the need for excessive pipelines to a central system that can get expensive for the homeowner and local government. But septic systems sometimes can't be installed due to unfavorable conditions of the soil or lack of space for an absorption field. Multiflow systems are comparatively compact and can be installed in more places. A feature of these systems is that no foul odors are emitted because of the aerobic bacteria treatment.
Warnings
The multiflow system is equipped with an alarm in case of malfunction. Regardless, these systems still require frequent inspection and maintenance, including pumping of the tank. The EPA recommends users conserve water to avoid overflowing as the system is used for typical household water output. The manufacturer for the MULTI-FLO brand unit notes that the first eight to 10 weeks are when bacteria begin developing their colonies and foaming from the unit is normal.
Environmental Impact
Wastewater, or sewage, must be treated to avoid contaminating groundwater. Groundwater is a drinking source, used to irrigate crops, and flows into larger bodies of water. Contamination of groundwater poses a great hazard to our health. When wastewater is treated at home, it can be more economical and leave less impact on the environment, but it is important that users never flush chemicals down the drain or toilet. These chemicals can potentially contaminate surface or groundwater.
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