An alternative approach to maintaining septic tanks

Settled Solids

Septic tanks are widely used in rural areas where there is no sewage collection system and it is necessary to treat domestic wastewater. Untreated wastewater from the house or group of houses flows into the septic tank where the solids separate from the liquids.

The majority of the solids settle to the bottom where they are liquefied slowly. Lighter solids such as grease, fats and soaps float to the surface and form the scum layer. The septic tank is designed to retain the solids in the tank. The liquid passes out of the septic tank and into a percolation system or soak away.

The degradation activity in a septic tank is based on a natural anaerobic (oxygen-free) biological process. This activity helps to liquefy solids, digest paper and other fibers and breakdown fats and grease. The liquid waste flows to the soak away where further degradation occurs.

Since the activity in the septic tank is based on a natural biological process it is prone to upsets. A wide range of chemicals such as detergents, bleaches, disinfectants and caustic cleaning chemicals can cause upsets to the biological activity in a septic tank system. Since the biological activity in a septic tank is anaerobic it operates at a very slow rate. Therefore any upsets will take a long time to be restored if left to nature.

The types of problems caused by poorly operating septic tanks are: -

•    Tank fills with solids and overflows
•    The soak away blocks and the ground becomes waterlogged
•    Severe odour problems.

The traditional solution is to pump out the tank and transport the material to the nearest wastewater treatment plant for treatment. This is not always easy to organise especially for emergency pump outs and it is inconvenient for the local authority. Grease-Zyme Solupacks from Chemex harness the power of environmental biotechnology to solve the problems of poorly functioning septic tanks.

The product works in harmony with the natural biological process and quickly restores efficient performance. Other types of systems where Grease-Zyme Solupacks can be successfully used include grease traps and drains..

The benefits of treatment with Grease-Zyme Solupacks are: -

•    Eliminates bad odours
•    Prevention of soak away blockages
•    Eliminates emergency pump outs
•    Efficient degradation of paper and vegetable matter
•    Safe for people and the environment
•    Planned maintenance costs
•    Improves resistance to upsets.

Grease-Zyme Solupacks | A case study