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Septic Tank Law- Key terms

8th August 2019

Septic Tank Law- Key terms

Ground Water>>  Ground water is water based below the ground in rocks or other geological strata.   The geological strata are called Aquifers.  ground water may rise to the surface naturally through springs or be abstracted using borehole and wells.

Geological strata>>  is a layer of sedimentary rock or soil, or igneous rock that were formed at the Earth's surface, with internally consistent characteristics that distinguish it from other layers.

Aquifier>> An aquifer is an underground layer of water bearing rock. Water-bearing rocks are permeable, meaning that they have openings that liquids and gases can pass through. Sedimentary rock such as sandstone, as well as sand and gravel, are examples of water-bearing rock.

Borehole>> A narrow shaft bored into the ground either vertically or horizontally to extract ground water.

Septic tank>> a septic tank is an underground settlement tank where solids sink to the bottom forming a sludge.  floating solids and dead bacteria float to the top forming a crust and the septic liquid flows out.

Drainage field>> A drainage field is a subsurface, waste water disposal facility which is sued to remove contaminants and impurities from the liquid that emerges after anaerobic digestion in a septic tank.  this is created from lots of interconnecting pipes which have intermittent slits at the bottom of them which allow the effluent to go to ground.

Anaerobic Digestion >> Is a process within the septic tank where the organic material is broken down by micro-organisms in the absence of oxygen.  anaerobic Digestion produces bio and methane gases that can be used as fuel or fertiliser.

Soakaway>> Is used to deal with surface water.  Surface water runs to one point and the soak away allows it to peculate in a controlled manner to the ground underneath.  soakaways can be constructed in multiple ways, such as crates, pipes or even a pit.

Sewage treatment Plant>>  A swage treatment plant removes the contaminants from waste water.  Physical, chemical and biological processes are used to remove and produce treated water, ready to be released back into the environment.

Percolation test>>A percolation test is a simple test that identifies whether or not the ground works surrounding a soakaway will allow for suitable drainage. A hole is dug in the ground in the potential area where the soakaway is planned to be installed, and filled with water. A timer is then set and the water is monitored to see how long it takes to drain away. The length of time it takes will confirm whether or not the area is suitable for the soakaway.

Dyke>> A long wall, embankment, ditch or water course, constructed to prevent flooding.

Effluent >> Is the term used for liquid waste or sewage that is to be discharged

New Septic tank regulations- January 2020

The Laws around septic tanks and how the discharge is changing.  As of the 1st of January 2020 all septic tank and discharges should be up to date with new regulations, if a property with a septic tank is being sold then this needs to be done before the house sale can go through!  Find out more here

 

 

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