Do you know what happens to your water when you flush the toilet? It is most likely to go into a main public sewer system and then to a sewage treatment plant to be treated. For some, particularly those who live in rural areas, their waste water is treated by a septic tank. A septic tank treats your sewage right in your own back yard! 
The septic tank will separate all your toilet flushes, bathwater and laundry discharge into sludge, liquid and scum. When the septic tank receives all this waste water from normal household usage via toilets, bathrooms, sinks and washing machines, it treats the waste water and returns the treated water to the groundwater system.
A septic tank system is made up of a septic tank and a filter named a drain field. There are other names for it but this is the most commonly used name. The purpose of the septic tank is to separate liquid from solids and to provide some breakdown of organic matter in the waste water. A septic tank is a big container that is buried underground of durable material like cement. So when waste water from sinks etc is collected in the septic tank, the water will go into the drain field however solid waste material cannot be broken down properly. Such solids in the system have no choice but to settle to the bottom of the tank and will then have to be pumped out regularly to ensure that the system operate properly. If the tank is not pumped out every few years or so solid waste may overflow resulting in damage and the need for emergency plumbing services. Although how often you have your septic pumped will depend on a number of things such as the size of the tank and the volume of water that passes through it every day.
It is very important to take care of your septic tank because if you do not it could result in very expensive emergency plumbing repairs and domestic cleaning services. On a regular basis you should be checking the scum and sludge levels and making sure things are working as they should be. It is never advisable to inspect or pump out a septic tank yourself as the tank contains deadly gases. Instead you are advised to always hire a professional plumber to deal with the matter. If your house suffers from bad smells or slow drains these are all signs that your septic tank needs pumping so call in the plumber!
How can you help to care for your septic tank? Too much water will upset the balance within the tank so try to be economical with your water. The more you flush a toilet or run a dishwater or washing machine for example the more water is sent to the septic tank. You could limit the amount of water you use for instance only run the washing machine or dishwasher when they are full. There are many ways to cut down on water usage. You shouldn’t use too many household chemicals or pour grease down the drains as these could badly affect how the septic tank operates. Always remember that the area around the septic tank has to be looked after as well so that it has good ventilation. It should never be covered in any way by fallen debris or bricks for example.
It is important to maintain records of when the septic tank was serviced and this should be shown to the plumber every time he comes to inspect the septic tank.
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