What's a septic tank? Any advantage or advantage comparing with connection to public sewage?

Answer 1

A septic tank is part of an on-site sewage treatment system usually coupled with a large drainfield. The septic tank is essentially a separator/settling tank. Incoming sewage settles out solids and non-bio material when it enters the tank and then the liquid is trickled out into a drainfield that allows the effluent to disperse into shallow soils where natural bacterialogical processes further break down the waste. These systems are a good alternative when public sewage connections are unavailable. Connection to public sewers, however, is ideal because of less maintenance and ultimately better for the environment. In many places, it is illegal to put in a septic system if municipal connection is available.

Answer 2

It is usually an either/or option, not both. Most municipalities will not allow people to stay on septic tanks in their city limits--not for any problems, they just want the money.
People outside municipalities are almost always on individual septic tanks unless it is a subdivision with homes close together-then they use a nasty lagoon system.
Septic tanks take the waste from your home, and it accumulates and naturally breaks down. The water flows in the upper inlet, and out an outlet a few inches lower so it naturally empties. Most are 500 or 1000 gallons or more, and buried. The outflowing water carries the brokendown wastes in the form of very small particulate matter and distributes it in the lateral lines-a series of rocklined channels beneath the ground, and sewer pipe with holes in them disperse the water.
Septic tanks if installed properly work great, I have lived in my home with five people, for 16 years and we have never had a problem with it. The only way a septic tank can back up is if it gets clogged at the inlet or the outlet, or the lateral lines are filled up with silt. But a regular sewer will also back up with a clog. If you don't have access to a sewer, a septic tank is your only choice anyway, but since it only has the installation cost, it is a lot better in the long run than a costly sewer system. Plus you don't send treated water into some stream down below the town.

Answer 3

In this day and age, I don't think you have an option. Most cities now have ordinances that if you live within the city limits, or close enough, and public sewage is available, you must use it.

Most of the time, septic systems are used in rural areas. These are the same areas where you will also have your own water well.

If you do have the option, and pubic sewage is available, I would go with that. Septic systems require maintenance, so you won't save a whole lot of money by not paying for the service.

Answer 4

A septic tank is an underground tank where your waste is pumped every time you flush you toilet. There really isn't any advantage other than you don't have to pay a sewer bill. BUT if anything goes wrong with your system you own it. I am in the process of connecting to town sewer and it will benefit me. My bill compared to what I pay to pump it will be bout the same. I have to pump twice a year because my system is failing. Advantage is I won't have to pump it anymore and if anything outside of the house goes bad the town owns it. Another advantage is my home value just went up.

Answer 5

A septic tank is just that, its a tank that collects the " waste" from your house and holds it while the solids are broken down, then it it relesed to slowly be absorbed into the earth. There is a Tank and several pipes that are fed from it so it is dispersed equaly around the septic field. the advantage? You dont have to pay for sewage. the disadvantage? the intitail cost is high and there is maintenance that has to be done as well as costly repairs if anything goes wrong. My advise? hook to the city sewer if possable. No maintainace low hook up cost pay off quickly.

Answer 6

you got lots of good answers on what it is. a septic tank is usually against code in an urban area. they are only for rural areas where there is no public sewage. definitely hook to city sewer if possible

Answer 7

septic tanks are generally used by people out in areas where public sewage is not avaiable. if you have access to public sewage, take it. less problems and the city or county can fix it if something happens

Answer 8

A septic is a large tank thats in the ground,and you must have it pumped out and the smell is real bad, if you can get hooked up to the sewage systems go for it.

Answer 9

Its a very large tank thats buried underground to collect your sewage, The advantage of it is you dont have to pay for the service. The disadvantage is once its full it can create some nasty odor in your house.. As well as backing up your drains. Also you have to pay someone to come empty the tank on occassion . These are usually used in rural locations ..

Answer 10

If you have the option, connect to the public sewer. Septic tanks require maintenance and occasionaly need pumping. It is well worth the minor cost to connect to the public sewer.