ABSTRACT

A septic tank system includes both the septic tank and the subsurface soil absorption system. State regulation and inspection of septic tank installation is generally considered to be more effective than local regulation. In addition to the standards for chemical quality and pesticides, the bacteriological standards specified in the Environmental Protection Agency Manual for Evaluating Drinking Water Supplies are required in the case of ground water which is being used as a drinking water supply. In sparsely populated urban and rural areas, septic tank systems that have been properly designed, constructed, and maintained are efficient and economical alternatives to public sewage disposal systems. Due to the rapid rate of placement of septic tank systems in the 1960's, the usable life of many of the systems is being exceeded, and ground water contamination is beginning to occur. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.