Understanding the Septic System vs. the Cesspool
The Septic and Cesspool Systems are used as a disposal technique.
This invention is dated to well over 100 years ago and the septic tank received its patent in England around 1900. It is antique, dating back to ancient Rome and most likely to ancient Babylonia when the first pipes were invented.
Both systems are used for waste management when a connection to a centralized municipal sewer service isn’t practical or available. About 55% of Jamaicans relies on the septic tanks for private sewage disposal, replacing the outdated pit also known as long drop toilet in most cases, but there are still some in operation today.
Both methods share the primary goal of separating the three types of organic waste found in a sewage disposal system.
These are:
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Scum– Less dense than water, floating as the top layer.
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Scum is bio-degradable.
Effluent– The wastewater itself, which is the only layer to be distributed to the surrounding ground soil for natural absorption.
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Sludge– Any solid or organic waste heavier than water sinks to the bottom layer in a septic tank or cesspool. Sludge is not bio-degradable and must be pumped out periodically.
Why the Septic System is Preferable to the Cesspool
The key word when comparing these two methods of disposal is “system”. The cesspool is simply a perforated concrete or block ring, similar to a well-liner but with holes, buried underground.
There is no widespread distribution of effluent.
Everything dumps to the cesspool, sludge piles up at the bottom,and effluent and scum drain through the holes directly into the immediate surrounding soil.
The cesspool sludge needs to be pumped frequently to keep lower holes open for water flow, and quite often the cesspool requires relocation when surrounding soil becomes saturated to the point that wastewater is pooling at the ground surface. Any cesspool past its prime today would most likely be replaced with a modern septic system.
The Eco-friendly Septic Tank
The septic tank is the primary component of the septic system, part of an elaborate distribution method which sends only the effluent (water) to a distribution box which has outlets for multiple perforated pipes.
Baffles in the septic tank prevent scum from reaching the outlet, and the closed tank environment contains bacteria where it’s needed to digest the scum layer. Depending on local percolation tests (ground absorption capacity)the network of perforated pipes spread the wastewater over as wide an area as necessary for proper absorption.
Sludge and scum never make it out of the septic tank, when properly maintained. The scum digested by the tank’s bacteria is converted to liquid effluent or sinks to the sludge layer as waste.
Septic systems and cesspools both require pumping of the sludge to maintain proper functioning.
How often pumping is required will depend upon tank capacity and the number of persons per household.
How to Care for Your Septic System
Septic system maintenance is not complicated, and it does not need to be expensive.
Upkeep comes down to four key elements:
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Inspect and Pump Frequently
Use Water Efficiently
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Properly Dispose of Waste Maintain Your Drain-field
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Inspect and Pump Frequently
The average household septic system should be inspected at least every three years by a septic service professional. Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year. A service contract is important since alternative systems have mechanized parts.
Four major factors influence the frequency of septic pumping:
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Household size
Total wastewater generated Volume of solids in wastewater Septic tank size
Use Water Efficiently
The average indoor water use in a typical single-family home is nearly 70 gallons per individual, per day. Just a single leaky or running toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons of water per day.
All of the water a household sends down its pipes winds up in its septic system. The more water a household conserves, the less water enters the septic system. Efficient water use improves the operation of a septic system and reduces the risk of failure.
Properly Dispose of Waste
Whether you flush it down the toilet, grind it in the garbage disposal, or pour it down the sink, shower, or bath, everything that goes down your drains ends up in your septic system. What goes down the drain affects how well your septic system works.
Your septic system is not a trash can. An easy rule of thumb: Do not flush anything besides human waste and toilet paper.
Cooking grease or oil Non-flushable wipes, such as Baby wipes or other wet wipes Photographic solutions Feminine hygiene products Condoms
Dental floss
Diapers
Cigarette Butts etc.