How to Control Your Septic Effluent in Boulder

How to Control Your Septic Effluent in Boulder

As your Boulder County septic system works, wastewater flows out of it into your drainfield or leachfield. This wastewater is referred to as the effluent. It is comprised of the water and other liquids produced in your home that make their way into your septic system. You want to make sure that you know how to control this to keep your septic system in good working order.

The Composition of a Boulder County Septic Tank

Your septic tank is comprised of two main parts that work to process waste from your home. The first is your actual septic tank and the third part is referred to as your leachfield or drainfield. The tank itself is waterproof and capable of holding a large volume of water. Both of these are located beneath the ground and a network of pipes is responsible for getting the effluent from your home into the tank and then from the tank out into your leachfield or drainfield.

Components of the Septic Tank Wastewater

The wastewater in your Boulder Colorado septic system is basically a combination of everything that is able to get into your septic system. These items can come from your sinks, toilets, washer, bathtubs or showers or your dishwasher. Basically, anything that uses water might add to the effluent in your septic tank. There could be a wide array of contaminants that are not safe for animals, plants and humans to be exposed to. Because of this, it is important that your system is pumped by a professional so that it is done both correctly and in a manner that is safe.

Three Main Parts of Wastewater

When you are learning more about wastewater, also known as effluent, you want to look at the three main parts that it breaks down into. Sludge is the first part and this is the solid form of waste that will eventually sink to the tank’s bottom. Scum is the second part and this is generally made up of foam particles that make their way to the surface of the water inside the tank. The third part is the partially treated water that is present between the sludge and scum layers in your tank.

Controlling Your Septic Tank Effluent

You want to make sure that you are only using exactly how much water you need in your Boulder County home. Using too much water can result in excessive effluent and your leachfield or drainfield having to work harder to handle it. It is also important to be aware of what is making its ways into your septic tank. For example, you want to avoid flushing solid items outside of stool since this can increase the risk of clogs developing in the different areas of your system.

You can see that controlling the effluent in your septic system is relatively simple. Just make sure that you are taking the steps necessary at the right times. You also need to ensure proper maintenance of your total system to keep everything in good working order.