ABSTRACT
The septic tank provides three services to the drain field: solids settling, solids storage, and solids digestion. The organisms which live in the septic tank digest a significant amount of the solid material and release it in the forms of dissolved solids and gases, thereby slowing the accumulation rate of solids in the tank. The septic tank should be located far enough from buildings so as not to cause a problem with the foundation should it leak and far enough from wells and streams so they won't cause a pollution problem. The only generally required maintenance is to pump out the septic tank periodically. Under conditions where the elevation of the disposal field is 2 to 5 ft or more below that of the septic tank, it may be possible to use an automatic dosing siphon in place of a pump.
