Month: November 2024

Home Services

What Is a Septic Tank?

Tobias Newton

A septic tank collects wastewater from your toilets, tubs and washing machines. Solid waste settles at the bottom of the tank while fats and grease drift to the top.

The bacteria in your septic system release gases into the air through a vent in your septic tank’s lid. The gases are also absorbed into the soil of your drain field. Click https://www.septictankarmadale.com.au/ to learn more.

A septic system treats wastewater from toilets, sinks, bathtubs and laundry in homes that aren’t connected to a public sewer system. The process consists of a tank, an absorption field or seepage bed and piping that leads to the ground. The septic tank digests organic waste and separates the floatable materials, such as oils and grease, from the wastewater. The clarified liquid that remains is known as effluent.

Oils and solids settle to the bottom of the tank in a layer called sludge. Special compartments and the outlet prevent sludge from leaving with the wastewater. Effluent flows from the tank through a perforated pipe into a soil absorption system, commonly referred to as a drain field or leach field. The soil filters the effluent and the natural filtration process protects nearby groundwater and surface water from pathogenic bacteria.

The absorption field is a series of trenches or a seepage bed with gravel where wastewater seeps into the ground through a network of pipes. The pipes are placed in the ground at least six feet below the soil line and are typically constructed of polyethylene, fiberglass or clay. The pipe network in the absorption field must be properly sized and installed to ensure that it functions effectively.

Once the septic system is in place, the absorption field needs to be maintained by adding 8 to 12-inches of mulch around the septic tank, septic tank pipes and the absorption field to prevent erosion and aerate the soil. The mulch should be made from organic material, such as straw or hay, to reduce the risk of water and nutrient runoff into surface and groundwater.

Homeowners can help maintain their septic tank and system by following simple tips, such as using water-efficient appliances and fixtures. They should also limit the number of showers and washing machines used at one time to avoid overloading the system, and wash clothes over several days instead of back-to-back. Finally, it’s important to have a professional inspect the septic tank and conduct routine pumping. A licensed septic tank operator will also be able to provide the homeowner with a record of tank sludge levels and other important data that should be reviewed periodically.

Sludge

Septic tanks separate sewage into three distinct layers according to density differences. The top layer, the scum layer, consists of floating substances, mostly oils and greases that float above the water. Aerobic bacteria in the septic tank digest most of this layer. The middle layer, the wastewater layer, is composed of the liquid portion of sewage waste and solid particles that are smaller than a human hair. The bottom layer, the sludge layer, is dense and made of non-liquid waste materials that sink to the bottom of the septic tank. The sludge layer contains non-decomposable waste such as soil, grit, and unconsumed food particles.

A septic system has an inlet and outlet pipe that extend from the septic tank into your home. Each time you flush your toilet, hydraulic pressure pushes wastewater up through the inlet tee into and out of your septic tank and into the absorption field. The septic tank inlet and outlet tees are spaced below the scum and sludge layers so that these solids do not clog the tees or your absorption field.

In order to prevent septic tank sludge from building up, it is important to have the septic tank pumped periodically. When the septic tank is too full, solid waste that hasn’t decomposed discharges into the drain field, where it can clog leach field piping and reduce the soil porosity, thus decreasing the efficiency of the absorption system.

Using a septic tank treatment product will help to keep sludge levels down between septic tank cleanings. Bacterial additives add a healthy dose of hard-working bacteria to the septic tank that work hard to break down solid waste. This will keep sludge levels down and help extend the period of time between septic tank cleanings.

If you decide to use a septic tank treatment product, be careful not to pour the chemical additives directly onto the sludge layer. Doing so may throw the primordial ecosystem that’s developed over time in your septic tank out of whack, and disrupt the natural enzymes that are already breaking down the sludge sent to it.

Scum

Septic tanks are vital for households, but they must be maintained properly to work efficiently. If a septic tank is not properly maintained, it can lead to wastewater leaking out of the system and polluting groundwater. This can cause a variety of issues, from contamination to health problems for residents. Regular septic tank pumping is one of the best ways to ensure that the septic system works as it should.

The septic tank is designed with a scum layer at the top, a sludge layer at the bottom and a clear water zone in between. When a septic system is working correctly, the bacteria thriving in these layers perform a process called liquification. This process breaks down organic materials in the sludge and scum layers, which allows them to flow into the liquid waste that drains out of the septic tank.

A scum layer is composed of substances that are lighter than water, primarily fats and oils. These materials float on the surface of the wastewater in the septic tank and are digested by aerobic bacteria. Solid materials that are denser than water (such as soil, grit, bones, unconsumed food particles) sink to the bottom of the septic tank to form a thick layer of sludge. Anaerobic bacteria that thrive in this layer consume these solids, producing methane and other gases as they do so.

As the sludge and scum build up in the septic tank, their volume reduces the effective water volume in the clear space in between. If this happens, the septic tank may need to be pumped sooner than expected.

The sludge and scum layers can also block the septic tank outlet pipe. This can allow wastewater to leave the septic tank but not be separated from the solids. This can cause the solids to enter the drain field and clog pipes and gravel in the septic system, leading to expensive repairs or system replacement. Regular septic tank pumping helps prevent this from happening by ensuring that the solids and sludge are pumped out of the tank, leaving only the water behind in the effluent layer.

Effluent

When you flush your toilets, wastewater travels through a main drainage pipe to the septic tank. The septic tank is a concrete or plastic box that holds the wastewater until solid wastes have settled or dissolved. Heavy solids, like dirt and grit, sink to the bottom of the tank where they form a layer called sludge. Lighter solids, like oil and grease, float on top of the wastewater where they partially decompose. The clarified liquid in the space between these layers is called effluent.

The septic tank also contains an inlet baffle that forces the wastewater downward as it enters. This helps the solids to settle and dissolve faster. It also prevents wastewater from skimming across the surface and exiting the septic tank untreated.

Inside the septic tank, bacteria break down the organic wastes. This process creates gases, including hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs. To keep these odors from entering your home, the septic system includes a vent pipe that extends through the lid of the septic tank. The vent is usually shaped like a mushroom and may have a charcoal filter to reduce odors.

If solid inorganic wastes enter your septic system, they can clog pipes and block the flow of wastewater. Keeping solid inorganic materials out of your septic system can help it work more effectively, and it can extend the time between septic tank pumping. Items that shouldn’t go down your drains include cigarette filters, diapers, tampons, paint cans, foil wrappers and condoms.

Once the septic tank has held the wastewater for a sufficient amount of time, a distribution box evenly distributes the effluent to a septic tank drain field or leach field. The effluent is piped to a shallow underground trench of clean gravel or stone.

The stone and gravel provide a filter to remove large solids from the effluent before it enters the soil. The effluent then percolates through the ground where microbes further treat it. Alternatively, a septic tank can also be connected to a drainfield made from black earth or gravel with a geofabric covering that filters the wastewater before it percolates through the soil.

Health & Wellness

How Naturopathic Medicine Promotes Holistic Health

Jasmine Webster

The practice of naturopathy focuses on the body’s ability to heal itself. Practitioners believe that the body’s natural healing processes will ward off disease and promote health.

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic doctors, or NDs, are trained as primary care physicians and focus on the least invasive, least toxic therapies. Read more about naturopathy and explore the great resources available that set the record straight for policymakers fighting scope creep. Visit https://medicinetothrive.com/ to learn more.

Naturopathic doctors (NDs) believe that your body has an inherent ability to heal itself if provided the proper conditions. This is based on the same principle that explains how a cut heals itself or that your kidney can filter out excess fluids. Naturopaths use therapies that support this healing process, such as diet and clinical nutrition, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, herbal medicine and physical therapy.

Your naturopath will spend an hour or longer on your first visit talking about not only the symptoms that brought you in, but also details of your family history, lifestyle and general health. You may be asked to provide lab and test results as well as information about any medications you are taking, whether prescription or not.

NDs will identify the cause of your symptoms by conducting a thorough assessment. They view the symptoms of an illness as warning signals that indicate the presence of imbalance in the body. The goal is to find the cause and address it rather than suppressing the symptoms, which can often lead to additional problems down the line.

The naturopath will work with your body to treat the root causes of your illness. This is the basis of the Therapeutic Order, which outlines how treatment should progress to avoid harming the body. Treatment starts with the least invasive strategies, such as lifestyle changes or herbs, and only moves on to more invasive techniques when necessary.

In addition to their assessment, naturopaths will recommend therapies that are most appropriate for you and your condition. They may include lifestyle changes, such as stress management or exercise. Bodywork, such as therapeutic massage or Bowen manipulation, may also be recommended. Some naturopaths have training in natural childbirth.

The naturopath will use their knowledge of the latest science and research to help guide the treatment plan. They will be able to explain the benefits of natural therapy and their potential side effects, as well as how they interact with any medications you are currently taking. Remember to always inform your naturopath about any herbs, supplements or drugs you are taking so they can monitor your response to treatment and ensure that they are safe for you.

Identify and Treat the Causes

Identifying the cause of illness and treating it is one of the primary goals of a naturopathic doctor. Unlike traditional medicine, which may simply mask symptoms with prescription drugs, naturopathic doctors find ways to address and treat the root of the problem to help patients heal more quickly. This approach also reduces the likelihood of recurrence or additional complications down the road.

This involves a wide range of therapeutic methods such as herbal medicine, physical therapy, acupuncture, and lifestyle counseling. Each patient is treated as an individual, and these therapies can be used individually or in combination to support the body’s natural healing processes. Using these techniques, naturopathic doctors seek to balance all aspects of a person’s health, including emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

The naturopathic philosophy is that there is an innate healing power within all of us. This is why finding and addressing the root cause of illness is so important to NDs. They look at multiple factors that contribute to the ailment, such as environmental influences, genetic predispositions, and physical imbalances.

In addition, naturopathic physicians understand that each person has unique susceptibilities and manifestations of their condition. For example, if a person has a vata constitution, they are likely to be aggravated by cold and dry foods, excessive worrying, and movement in excess of their needs.

When determining the cause of the ailment, naturopathic doctors will use physical assessments, lab tests, medical imaging and medical histories to make their diagnosis. Once they know the underlying cause of the issue, they will develop a treatment strategy that supports the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

Naturopathic doctors are trained in a wide range of therapeutic modalities that they can use to help their patients heal more quickly and effectively. They will utilize these in their treatments to complement modern medications and surgical procedures, rather than replace them. This can make the difference in getting you back to a normal, healthy life sooner than you might expect. And, because naturopathic medicines are safer than most pharmaceuticals, they may have fewer side effects. This is especially true when compared to conventional medications.

Treat the Whole Person

As mentioned earlier, naturopathic doctors recognize that disease and illness stem from complex interactions between all aspects of an individual: their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self. This concept, known as the ‘Treat the Whole Person’ principle, is at the core of naturopathic medicine.

As such, naturopathic physicians view symptoms as the body’s attempt to communicate an underlying imbalance. Therefore, NDs seek to understand and treat the underlying cause of disease rather than the specific symptom(s). NDs use a wide range of therapeutic modalities to accomplish this goal including, but not limited to: diet and clinical nutrition, behavioral change, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, botanical medicine and acupuncture.

The idea behind treating the whole person is that a person has an innate ability to heal themselves, given the right conditions are met. Licensed naturopathic doctors are trained to recognize and harness this innate healing process. By assessing a patient’s risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease, NDs can make preventive interventions to help people live healthier lives.

Naturopathic medicine also focuses on the importance of preventive care. As such, NDs educate patients on lifestyle habits that can improve their health and promote wellness. This includes healthy eating, exercise and stress management, as well as addressing a patient’s hereditary risk factors and environmental exposures.

Lastly, naturopathic doctors focus on educating patients about the causes of their condition so they can take control of their health and wellness. This entails teaching patients about the steps they can take to reduce their risk of disease and how they can utilize their innate healing process when needed.

Ultimately, naturopathic medicine can play a significant role in the future of healthcare and can provide an important complement to conventional medical advancements. However, integrating this approach into existing healthcare systems will require substantial effort and support from multiple stakeholders. Fortunately, there are already dedicated naturopathic doctors working within established academic and clinical settings who have the knowledge and expertise to drive this transformation. This includes both the VA and naturopathic schools in the US, as well as integrated practices in integrative healthcare organizations.

Prevention is Key

The concept of preventing disease is an essential one in naturopathic medicine. Illness and disease does not occur without cause, so identifying the causes and removing them allows healing to take place. NDs support the creation of a healthy internal and external environment, they work with patients to conserve vital energy, they help to remove toxins, they assist in restoring structural integrity, and they encourage individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

The naturopathic doctor treats the whole person and addresses all aspects of health, including mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, physical and spiritual. The goal is to create a state of wellness, which is inherent in everyone and can be realized by anyone. Wellness is defined as the establishment of optimum health and balance, characterized by positive emotion, thought, and action. It is believed that if wellness is recognized and experienced by an individual, it will heal a given disease more quickly than treating the symptoms alone.

Naturopaths focus on educating patients about wellness and disease prevention, empowering them to make more informed choices that lead to a healthier life. The word doctor comes from the Latin docere, meaning “to teach.” NDs strive to embody this philosophy in their practice by teaching through example and encouraging patients to implement naturopathic principles into their daily lives.

As such, naturopaths will often provide dietary and exercise guidance to their patients and may recommend nutritional supplements or herbs. These treatments undergo rigorous testing to ensure that they are safe and effective. Furthermore, NDs are trained to recognize potential interactions between natural and pharmaceutical medicines.

In addition to preventing illness, naturopaths are also focused on reducing the risk of developing long-term health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity, through early identification and intervention. This is achieved by addressing risk factors, such as cholesterol and blood pressure, through diet, exercise and stress reduction techniques.

NDs are a great option for individuals looking to find relief from chronic conditions. However, it is important to note that naturopathy is not a substitute for your primary care provider. Whenever seeking treatment from any practitioner, be sure to do your research to find the right fit for you. Check that the naturopath is licensed by the appropriate regulatory body, and ask about their education, training and experience.