Understanding the Pressure Septic System Components: The Septic Tank and Pump Tank

The septic tank and pump tank are part of the pressure septic system such as the Low Pressure Pipe System.

A septic tank is a watertight tank that is buried underground and designed to receive and treat raw domestic sanitary wastewater. Heavy solids settle to the bottom of the tank, while greases and lighter solids float to the top. The solids remain in the tank while the wastewater is discharged to the drainfield for further treatment and dispersal.

A pump tank is a component of the pressure septic system which collects and stores treated wastewater effluent from the septic tank. The effluent will be dosed to the disposal field by the pump at specified intervals called pump cycles. The pressure septic system is used mainly when the disposal field is located where a conventional system would not be able to accommodate or when upslope travel is necessary. This type of system is more costly than a conventional system but offer ideal solutions to problematic challenges.