Septic tank philippines

Types of Septic Tanks

Septic tanks are subsurface wastewater disposal structures used to treat effluents from household properties without a centralized sewer system. In the absence of a public sewer system, the septic tank was the best solution for handling human waste and enabling the Philippines to practice safe sanitation. The basic function of a septic tank is to allow solid waste to settle and decompose slowly.

The elements of a septic tank's functional operation include decomposition, drainage fields, and clean effluent return to the water system. While the Philippines still uses many designs of septic tanks, some conform to the requirements of modern engineering and safe sanitation practices. Here are some types of septic tanks.

• Conventional Septic Tanks

It is a buried rectangular or circular watertight tank usually made of reinforced concrete or fiberglass. It is called "conventional" simply because this is what people traditionally know of septic tanks. The tank system consists of inlets and outlets, baffles, a receiving chamber, and a leach field or drain field. The main purpose of a conventional septic tank is to biologically degrade and store the solid materials or sludge that settle at the bottom of the tank and prevent the escape of gases through the vent pipes.

• Anaerobic Septic Tanks

Some older designs of septic tanks that still exist are anaerobic septic tanks. This means they use no bacteria that need oxygen to operate. Anaerobic septic tanks, therefore, have minimal treatment, and effluents often require further disposal in drainage fields or treatment plants. Anaerobic bacteria break down solids and produce gases that need no effort to make. Drain fields rely on gravity alone to move treated effluent into soil pores.

• Aerobic Treatment Septic Tanks

Unlike anaerobic septic tanks, aerobic treatment units use oxygen to help treatment happen faster. Aerobic septic tanks may be required in properties where the soil isn't satisfactory to absorb treated sewage. In these situations, an aerobic tank may be installed. They have advanced features of blowers, pumps, and control panels. This technology allows effluents to receive further treatment before being released into the drainage field.

These systems may effectively treat waste every day, but they need electricity. Because they do, aerobic systems usually are larger than anaerobic models and may use more water.

• Centralized Sewer Systems

Sometimes, septic systems unite. Centralized sewer systems are methods to join up separate systems in one place we go to achieve safe sanitation practices. Big, powerful machines dig down and make pipes to bring solids and liquids to a common treatment plant. Treatment is done by either separating parts of systems that have antioxidants, anaercronostics, and outgoing recyclers or by putting everything in one big machine that does everything and sometimes offers from 1 to 6 treatments. Advanced sewage treatment plants don’t use leach fields at all but can recycle treated water to use again and again.

Specifications & maintenance of septic tanks in the Philippines

Specifications

Septic tanks in the Philippines come in a variety of sizes to accommodate varying amounts of wastewater produced by households or establishments. Standard-sized septic tanks for a typical-sized home in the Philippines usually range from 1,500 to 4,500 liters in capacity. Smaller septic tanks are typically used in vacation cottages or homes located in remote locations. Larger-sized septic tanks for more significant volumes of wastewater are typically found in commercial establishments, schools, hospitals, or other buildings with higher occupancy. In some cases, multiple septic tanks can be interconnected to accommodate specific requirements.

The typical shape of a septic tank is cylindrical, and the tank is usually made with watertight concrete, fiberglass, or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Newer septic tank installations in the Philippines often use plastic septic tanks as a durable alternative to concrete.

Maintenance

Septic tanks require regular maintenance to function optimally. Routine inspections should be carried out at least once yearly to detect any signs of damage, such as cracked or broken baffles, lid issues, or tank signs. Scheduled pumping is needed to remove accumulated sludge and scum. This prevents any clogging of pipes, drains, or the leach field. Routine weed and plant clearance is also necessary since roots may damage the tank or drainage system. Wastewater management is crucial as only human waste and toilet paper should go into the septic tank. Care should also be taken to ensure the proper distribution of wastewater in the leach field system to avoid overload in any particular section.

Scenarios

Adequate knowledge of how a Philippine septic tank functions gives property owners an idea of its many uses and importance.

• Wastewater treatment for homes and buildings: Septic tanks treat and dispose of domestic or on-site wastewater in areas without a central sewer system. They separate solids from liquids through natural processes, storing decomposed solids in the filtering soil.
• Management of agricultural waste: Farms use large tankers designed for specific animal waste (e.g., swine, poultry) to avoid soil contamination or reduce environmental pollution. This protects agricultural land and its crops or plants from harmful substances.
• Efficient wastewater treatment in coastal areas: Coastal resorts or hotels, etc., commonly use a centralized septic tank system in the area to curb water pollution, especially around beaches. The system promotes efficient sewage treatment before it gets released into nearby water bodies.
• Public and private facility sewage management: Proper waste disposal remains an issue in some public and private places. Toilets, baths, and kitchens in schools, malls, hospitals, and more generate a sizable amount of sewage daily. Septic tanks in these institutions aid proper sewage management, protecting the environment and public health.
• Wastewater treatment for recreational areas: Camps or eco-tourism sites that lack proper sewer systems usually have to install septic tanks. The tanks ensure fair sewage treatment and maintain hygiene standards.

How to choose septic tanks in the Philippines

When choosing a septic tank system, it is important to take various factors into consideration, such as the size, location, daily water usage, soil condition, local regulations, and budget.

• Estimate the number of people in the home

  When choosing a septic tank, calculating the total daily water usage in the home is very important. If more people use water in the household, it is likely that the tank will need to be larger to hold more wastewater. Because of this, determining the family size is one way to help determine how big the tank needs to be.

• Consider the soil condition and drain field size

  In some locations, the soil may not be able to absorb water well enough to drain excess wastewater. In such cases, determining whether the soil is good enough to handle the water is important in selecting a suitable tank. If the soil is not suitable, an alternative system may need to be chosen, such as one that uses less water or filters more.

• Understand local regulations and permits

  Before deciding on a septic tank system, it's essential to check local rules about how septic systems should be installed. Some areas have strict regulations that require specific types of tanks to be used.

• Evaluate budget and long-term maintenance

  Choosing a septic tank system is also dependent on the amount of money that can be spent. It's important to consider not only the initial installation cost but also the long-term maintenance expenses over the system's lifespan. Regular maintenance, such as pump-outs and inspections, is crucial to ensuring the system's proper functioning and preventing costly repairs.

Septic Tank Philippines FAQ

Q1: How does a septic tank work in the Philippines?

A1: A septic tank collects household wastewater. Solids settle at the tank's bottom, while liquid effluent flows into the drainage system or leach field for further breakdown by soil bacteria.

Q2: What is the difference between a septic tank and a sewage treatment plant in the Philippines?

A2: In the Philippines, a septic tank is a passive wastewater collection and initial treatment facility. It relies on natural bacterial action for waste decomposition. In contrast, a sewage treatment plant (STP) is an active treatment plant that processes wastewater using various methods, including biological and chemical treatments, to remove contaminants before discharging treated water into the environment.

Q3: How often should septic tanks be emptied in the Philippines?

A3: Typically, septic tanks in the Philippines should be emptied every 3 to 5 years. However, the frequency may vary based on tank size, household water usage, and the number of people in the residence.

Q4: Are there any alternatives to traditional septic tanks in the Philippines?

A4: Yes, some alternatives exist, such as septic tank pit design, Eco-Septic Systems, and Septic Tanks with Biofilters. These may offer improved wastewater treatment and reduce environmental impact.