All About Sand Filter Septic Systems

When it comes to septic systems most people aren’t too interested in how they work, so long as they do work! And while it’s true that the process of collecting and neutralizing the waste from our bodies might not be all that enticing in terms of subject matter, the science behind it can actually be quite interesting—especially when you’re talking about sand filter septic systems.

Sand filter septic systems in Bethel, OH have been around since the 1900s and while the technology has come along way, it’s amazing to see that a process developed more than 100 years ago is—at its core—still used today in processing our waste. In fact, they remain one of the most effective ways to eliminate wastewater and other effluent, simply because they an optimized aerobic system (oxygen-rich). Sand filters work like this:

  • Wastewater and effluent are forced through a sand filter, where the particles in the waste come into direct contact with the grains of sand. The action happens at a microscopic level, however.
  • Microorganisms living on the grains of sand are responsible for addressing the individual molecules of the wastewater: including carbon (C) matter, which is converted into carbon dioxide (CO2). Other common conversions include ammonia (NH3) and organic nitrogen (N) to nitrate (NO3).
  • Once these molecular breakdowns have occurred, the new molecules are recirculated through the filter again, where nitrate (NO3) is further organically processed to nitrogen gas (N2).

Now, when you consider that more than 75 percent of the air we breathe on a daily basis is comprised of nitrogen, the final output of sand filter septic systems in Bethel, OH is ideal: a whole lot more nitrogen!

A sand filter septic system is more than just sand, however: it’s actually a series of components that work together—using sand as the chief driver of the system—to accomplish the task of processing effluent. The parts of a sand filter system include:

  • The septic tank
  • The pump chamber and pump
  • The sand filter
  • The chlorinator

Each segment of the overall system is responsible for doing its job so that the next component of the system is able to further the process of wastewater breakdown. In an optimal system, the process should result in neutralized waste, broken down into individual components.

It’s amazing to think that this process has been around for decades and decades! True, the technology has been improved and parsed down into more refined, compact models of efficiency, but the root of it all—the sand—is still working as well today as it once did a hundred years ago. Even if the inner workings of your septic tank don’t impress you or appeal to you all that much, this in and of itself is something amazing to think about!

To learn more about sand filter septic systems in Bethel, OH or to speak to a septic professional about inspecting and maintaining your system for optimal functionality and efficiency, contact Gullet Sanitation Services Inc. today!

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