Down the Toilet: Your Septic Tank Options

A septic tank system can be a great choice if you live in an area where it is not possible to connect to an urban water supply, such as a trailer park. They are also a good solution if you wish to cut down on your water use, as the majority of septic waste systems do not use water to flush a toilet in the traditional way. Before you choose which septic system to install in your home, you should examine the different choices you have. Below is a brief guide to the most common septic systems.

Composting Toilet

While a composting toilet will look like a regular toilet, with a seat on which to sit and a handle with which to operate the flush. However, a composting toilet uses a lot less water during the flushing process when compared to a regular toilet. The waste is washed into a chamber which contains peat, where it undergoes natural decomposition in the same way as waste in your garden composter. The compost created can be added to soil to aid plant growth.

Chemical Toilet

Chemical toilets add a sanitising chemical during the flushing process, which reduces odours and helps to keep the toilet clean. The volume of water used during a flush is generally less than the amount used by a standard toilet. A chemical toilet works in a similar way to a composting toilet, in that the waste is washed into a chamber. However, the waste has to be pumped out of the tank rather than being used as compost.

Grey Water System 

Grey water systems are generally found in recreational vehicles and in static trailers. Grey water is waste water generated by sinks, showers, baths and washing machines. This water is stored in a separate tank and is then recycled, being used to flush the toilet. This helps to reduce the amount of freshwater used. The waste will be stored in a septic tank which will need to be pumped out regularly.

Disinfection Tank System

A disinfection tank system uses chlorination or UV light to treat any waste collected in the system's septic tank. Exposure to chlorine and UV light will destroy any micro-organisms present in the waste. Most disinfection systems slowly release the purified waste deep into the soil using a system of pipes or tenches, where natural processes break down the waste completely.

If you have any questions about septic systems, you should contact a septic tank company.

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