What are sewage systems? It is the entire network of pumps, pipes, or mains used for collecting wastewater. Each area has its own sewage system, and the sewage may originate from different places such as homes or schools.
There are two main types of systems: domestic and industrial. Sometimes, both systems are combined into one.
Although sewage systems are beneficial for disposing of wastewater, if they are not built or maintained, they can cause a problem for the environment. Sewage water contains a lot of substances that can be harmful to humans as well.
Therefore, it is imperative to understand the working of these systems and how we can maintain them. This guide will help gain a better understanding of the parts of a sewage system, their different types, and how to manage them.
What Do Sewage Systems Consist Of?
There are a few main parts of a home sewerage system such as the pipe, septic tank, soil, and drain field.
Piping
The pipes are used to get the wastewater from your home to the septic tank.
Septic Tank
This tank is usually made from materials such as fibreglass, concrete, or polythene, and it is placed underground. It is used to keep wastewater until solids settle to the bottom and they form material such as grease, sludge, or oil that come up to the surface.
There is a T-shaped outlet along with some compartments that stop sludge and scum from flowing out of the tank and into the drain field. Screens can also be used for the same purpose.
Drain field
After wastewater flows out of the septic tank, it goes into the drain field. The water is treated by the soil there, and this process is carried out each time there is new water in the septic tank.
If the drain field gets overloaded, wastewater will flow into the ground. It is recommended to have a backup drain field in the case of such an event.
Soil
From the drain field, wastewater enters the soil.
Soil consists of microbes that are important for the treatment of wastewater. These microbes help remove contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, or harmful nutrients from the wastewater by digesting them. This process is necessary before wastewater reaches the groundwater.
Different Types of Sewage Systems
Some main types of sewage systems are separate, combined, and partially separate. Read on to find out more about each.
Combined System
A combined system is used to carry sanitary sewage and stormwater through one sewer system. Treating the wastewater in this system is usually easy because it has been diluted by rainwater.
There is an enormous volume of sewage, which means the water has a high velocity. Because of this high speed of water and its ability to self-cleanse, there is no need for flushing.
The combined system is secure and cheap to implement, especially within house plumbing, since it only requires a single piping set.
Separate System
In a separate sewage system, there are different sewers for storm and surface water, while there is the same sewer system for domestic and industrial sewage.
This type of system is less expensive than other types because it used less amount of water for treatment, and the entire design is economical as well.
The separate sewage system is preferred over a combined sewage system because it is more economical. Another advantage of this system is that it doesn’t affect stream pollution.
Partially Separate System
The partially separate sewage system is better than the separate system because it is cheaper and easy to use in small-scale sewers.
This type of system takes water from kitchens, bathrooms, and the rainwater collected on the roof through a single pipe. This allows a reduction in house plumbing because waste from all parts of the house plus water from the roof uses the same pipe.
Remaining water from other places falls into separate sewers or drains. This system actively introduces stormwater into the sanitary sewage pipes to increase the volume of water and allow it to flush itself.
Maintenance of Sewage Systems
It is crucial to maintain a sewage system properly, otherwise, they can be harmful to the population and the environment. Maintenance of a sewage system also ensures that you save money by not having to repair or replace the system repeatedly.
Proper maintenance of sewage systems prevents waterborne diseases from being spread. It is also vital for protecting water resources.
Each homeowner should care for their home sewerage system. This will be a benefit for the individual and the public. If the sewage system has been adequately constructed and is maintained, it will provide treatment of water for the long term.
Following are some necessary steps you should take to ensure your sewage system functions properly:
Drain field Maintenance
A few things you can do to take care of the drain field are planting grass by it and keeping the roof drains away from it.
By planting grass over and near the sewage system, you will prevent the roots from destroying the system. You should also ensure that any potential flood sources such as a roof drain are kept away from the system.
Make sure to avoid parking or driving any vehicle over the drain field system.
Regular Pumping
There are a few factors that will decide how often you will need to pump the tank. It depends on how many people live in the house, how much wastewater is generated, the amount of solids in the water, and the dimensions of your septic tank.
Like you’ll need a professional for inspection, you will need one for carrying out the pumping.
Conserving Water
If you save water correctly, there will be less water in the sewage system, thus improving the efficiency of the entire system. To conserve water, you can use high-efficiency toilets or set up faucet aerators.
Replacing traditional toilets with newer, more efficient models is an excellent way to conserve your household water. Faucet aerators reduce the flow of water that enters the sewage system and can also be used to reduce the flow of water in other places such as showers.
Overloading Washing Machines
People in the household should take care, not to overload washing machines. Completing small loads of laundry spread out over a few days is better than doing a very large load in one day.
For maintaining the septic tank, it is essential that you take care of the drain field. Make sure not to dispose of harmful wastes in your sinks or toilets. You should also carry out a regular inspection of the septic tank. Routine inspection should be done almost every three years by a professional.
Conclusion
As we can see, it is very important to maintain sewage systems to ensure that they don’t cause any adverse effects to humans or the environment. Knowledge about these systems has led us to build and maintain them more effectively.