You’re probably familiar with the septic system if you live off the grid or in a rural region without access to a centralized sewer system. This on-site waste treatment facility is a straightforward technology with numerous advantages. Regrettably, the septic system consumes a substantial amount of space. Some folks are wondering if they can have a septic tank without a drain field (also known as a leach field) because of this.
What Is a Septic System And What Is a Leach Field?
Let’s start with the septic system before moving on to space-saving choices. In locations lacking centralized sewer systems, a septic system is an underground wastewater treatment structure. To treat wastewater from your home plumbing, these systems use a combination of natural processes and chemical reactions. A septic system typically comprises a septic tank and a drain field, often known as a leach field.
Solid waste products that are not converted to liquid effluent are stored in the septic tank until they are pumped out and appropriately disposed of. The leach field is a network of perforated pipes that allow contaminants to be disposed of without threatening animals or contaminating groundwater.
How Does It Work?
Solid waste and wastewater travel via your home’s plumbing system to your septic tank, where they are separated into three levels.
The top layer of scum and oil floats, the middle layer of wastewater is easily ejected from the outlet pipes into the leach field, and the bottom layer of solid waste is broken down into sludge in the septic tank by bacteria and chemicals. Sludge builds up in the septic tank until it needs to be cleaned out with a septic cleaning. The wastewater is treated in the meantime by percolating through the leach field. Leach fields come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they always serve the same purpose: to treat wastewater. Wastewater is essentially treated as it percolates into the soil.
Can My Septic System Function Without a Drain Field?
A septic system isn’t complete without a leach field, as you can probably tell. You may find yourself needing to empty your septic tank almost regularly if you only have a septic tank. Having to deal with backed-up smelly sewage water that may flood the ground, attract flies and cost you a lot of money to get rid of is just not worth it. If your septic tank lacks a drain field or soakaway system, the wastewater will flow through a sealed pipe and into a ditch or a nearby watercourse and contaminate it. Because the leach field is in charge of securely disposing of the wastewater, this is the most probable cause. Though a septic system cannot function without a leach field, you do have options when it comes to septic system installation.
