Septic systems are a part of rural life.  Most Vermont communities, especially when you leave the towns and villages, do not have municipal waste facilities.  This means that you need to know what a septic system is, how to get one installed, and how to take care of it. 

Description

A septic system is used to process wastewater from a residence to make it safe.  It does this by allowing the breakdown of disease causing organisms. 

A septic system is typically considered to start at the drain in your sink, tub, or toilet.  Wastewater runs to a holding tank (Septic Tank) where the solids are broken down by bacterial action.  The broken down material and the liquids typically flow from the holding tank to a series of pipes called a leach field.  The leach field allows the further breakdown of products by filtering them through the soil.  There is usually a distribution box which divides the material up between several pipes in the leach field.

Possible additional components of a septic system are pumps and smaller tanks for holding the material from the septic tank until it is pumped to the leach field. 

The composition of the soils as well how wet the soils are determine whether a particular site will support a leach field.  Depending on the soils, and water table, a mound system, where sand is brought in, might be necessary.  It is also possible that a particular site cannot be built on.  If a property needs anything besides a conventional system the price of installation will be increased.

State, and very likely local, permits are required for a septic system to ensure that it meets standards. An engineer, or site technician, is needed to design a system in order to obtain a permit.  

Maintenance

All septic systems need maintenance.  At the very least the septic tank should be pumped every 2-4 years depending on usage.  In more extensive systems further maintenance might be required.  A well cared for system can be expected to last for 20-30 years.