How does a Sewage Disposal System work?
A typical sewage disposal system or septic system is comprised of three main components. First, the septic tank component is used to settle out solids in the waste stream and allows the liquid portion to flow into the distribution box. This second component, also referred to as the D-Box, allows the liquid waste to flow equally and evenly over the last component, the soil absorption system. The soil absorption system disperses the waste effluent into the soil around and below the system. The bottom and sidewalls of the soil absorption system, over time, develops a slimy mass known as the biomat. The biomat further treats the waste through filtration, absorption and aerobic bacterial digestion. There is some treatment of nitrogen and phosphorous within the within a standard sewage disposal system. Other types of components can be added to a sewage system so as to provide a higher level of treatment to the waste stream. These types of system are typically used in environmentally sensitiv
