Sewage vs Sceptic

What is sewage treatment?

It all starts with the toilet flushing, leaving

your
house
Collects in sewer pipes
Arrives at your local waste water treatment
facility
Primary treatment- firsts step in treating your
waste water (Removes 40-50%) of the solids
Step 1- Removal of solids; Chunks of debris,
sticks, sand, etc get caught on the bar
screens as the sewage enters the plant
Step 2- Next, it goes into the grit chamber
sand, grit and heavy settle to the bottom
Step 3- Sedimentation (x2), smaller particles
settle; scrapers collect the solid matter plus
scum or grease floating on top of the tank
Step 4- Aeration, adds oxygen so bacteria
can break down waste

Secondary Treetment: 85-90% of pollutants

are removed
Step 1: Aeration
Step 2:Secondary Sedimentation; Solids
clump together (activated sludge) and settle
out for reuse in the aeration tank.
Step 3: Chlorine; added as a disinfectant
before the wastewater leaves the plant to kill
disease-causing organisms
What do we do with the sludge?
It is taken to landfills

What is a septic system?

Step 1 water leaves house entering septic

tank
Step 2 Nutrients leave the sew age into field
Step 3 Bacteria feeds on the water
Do:

Inspect your tank for signs of sludge

buildup.

Pump your tank every 2-3 years.

Keep a grease can handy.

Protect your system from vehicles and

encroaching trees and shrubs.

Install water saving devices to conserve

water.

Use non-toxic cleaning products such as

baking soda to scrub toilets, or boiling
water to help clear clogged drains.
Don't:

use a garbage disposal - it adds 50 %

more solids to your system.
pour automotive oil, cooking oil, grease
or paint or paint thinner down the
drain.
drive vehicles over the septic
system/fields.
plant bushes or trees over the leach
field.
use too much water, especially during
rainy, wet seasons when the ground is
saturated.
use drain cleaners and other toxic
chemical products.
use chemical or biological septic system
cleaners which can plug up leach fields
and ruin your system.