Municipal Sewers and Onsite Systems – Each Has Its Place.

Wherever you live, chances are you have one of two kinds of wastewater system. You may be connected to a town or city sewer network with a centralized water treatment plant, or you could have your own onsite septic system consisting of a septic tank and a soil absorption field or leachfield. In keeping with the general trend of migration out of the cities into suburban and rural areas, onsite systems for recycling wastewater have become a sustainable long-term solution in places where community public sewer systems are not physically or financially viable. Onsite systems — which consist of a septic tank and a soil absorption field or leachfield — make efficient use of space as land development puts new pressures on natural resources.

onsite septic systems

A septic system is an onsite wastewater treatment system that processes and purifies household waste (effluent). The effluent consists of blackwater (toilet water) and greywater (kitchen sink, bathtub and laundry wastes).

A septic system has two components: a septic tank and a leachfield or drainfield. Primary treatment occurs in the septic tank, where bacteria digest organic materials in the wastewater. The effluent then flows into the leachfield for secondary treatment. Here, bacteria complete the digestion and purification process as the wastewater slowly leaches or infiltrates into the soil.

Public health and safety

Protecting public health and the environment are the main priorities when it comes to onsite wastewater recycling. Dangerous bacteria, microbes and pathogens must be completely removed from wastewater before it re-enters the groundwater. Infiltrator products are scientifically designed to provide more efficient wastewater treatment by optimizing the soil’s inherent treatment capabilities.

Onsite systems provide a passive reliable means of wastewater treatment at a relatively low cost, while preserving environmental quality. As the population density increases, regulators and public health officials responsible for water quality have emphasized the need for regulations based on sound science and real performance.

Infiltrator sponsors and participates in a variety of programs, including field training, continuing education for installers and curriculum support for onsite system design studies. The experts on our technical staff, along with our regional representatives, exchange information and seek solutions that promote better science, improved system performance and groundwater quality.