How a Septic Tank System Works in Australia

How a Septic Tank System Works in Australia

1. Wastewater Enters the Tank:

 Household waste, including sewage, kitchen, and laundry water, flows from the home into the underground, watertight septic tank. 

2. Separation:

Inside the tank, solid waste settles to the bottom as sludge, while grease and oils rise to the top, forming a scum layer. 

3. Bacterial Digestion:

Beneficial bacteria in the tank, working in an oxygen-free environment, break down the solids into a liquid. 

4. Effluent Discharge:

The remaining liquid (effluent) is then directed out of the tank to a drainage system, such as a leach drain or Drainage Field 

5. Final Treatment:

The effluent is absorbed into the surrounding soil, where plants and other natural processes further treat and purify it. 

Key Components

Septic Tank:

A watertight underground tank, usually made of concrete Or plastic, where waste is separated and initially treated. 

Drainage Field:

A system of pipes, such as leach drains, that disperses the treated effluent into the soil for final absorption. 

Undersink or small Grease Trap:

A smaller tank, often used with sullage (greywater) systems, that traps kitchen grease before it enters the main septic tank or drainage system. 

Why Septic Tanks Are Used

Unsewered Areas:

Septic systems are essential in rural and some suburban areas of Australia where connection to the main municipal sewer lines is not available. 

Environmental Protection:

When properly installed and maintained, these systems manage wastewater effectively, preventing the contamination of public health and the environment