Basically the septic system consists of three major components; the septic tank, the leach field and the soil beneath the drain field. The septic tank is a water tight box that is buried in the ground just outside the premises. The septic tank, in turn, is connected to the leach field via a buried pipe. The leach field consist of two to five trenches that are excavated in the soil and the waste water is distributed between them by a flow divider. In each trench there is a layer of gravel . After the trenches are covered with soil, it can be landscaped.
The leach field is also called a nitrification field or soil absorption field. The sole purpose is to deliver waste water to the soil. The soil then purifies the water by removing chemicals, germs and obnoxious bacteria.
Maintenance of the Septic System
Both the septic tank and the leach field must be properly maintained on a regular basis for the septic system to function correctly for many years. It is important to note that there are certain items that will enter the tank that will not be treatable, so proper disposal habits should be established.