A holding tank is a single compartment tank that collects the wastewater and household waste from a house through an inlet valve. Everything that goes down the drain in your house (sink, toilet, washing machine, dishwasher, shower and toilet) ends up in the holding tank and there it stays until you get it pumped out. There is not a drain field attached to holding tanks.
→ How often will I have to have my holding tank pumped?
It depends! There is no specific timeline to give as it really depends on the residents' water usage. Showers, toilets, dishwashers, etc. drain into the holding tank.
→ How do I know if my holding tank is full?
Most holding tanks have an alarm which will alert you when the tank is full, assuming the alarm has been kept in good working order.
Septic Systems
→ What is a septic system?
A septic system is a large vessel tank that collects household wastewater through an inlet pipe, treats the effluent through a bio-action process, and releases the treated water into a drainfield where the water percolates underground.
A septic tank is always "full". The level should be just below the outlet pipe (normally the one leading away from the house). Every time waste water enters the septic tank, the same amount will exit it as a result of displacement. Organic materials which are in the tank will be broken down by anaerobic bacteria, and a certain degree of treatment is therefore achieved. Regular pumping is critical as solids can clog the pipes, resulting in waste water backing up into the house. This should be done once every three to five years. Most septic tanks have a filter--these should be cleaned once every year.
→ Hazards to Your Septic System
Do not pour oils, grease, or food waste down the drain. Do not drive or park on your drain field or septic tank. Do not plant shrubs or trees on or near your septic tank and drain field.
Contrary to what the packaging says, tampons, baby wipes, and disposable/flushable wipes are NOT flushable, and can even result in us not being able to pump your tank if there are too many of them.