Septic Tanks – Basic Information

Septic Systems

Most homes in rural areas are serviced by a septic system rather than a sewer system.  Septic systems are small onsite waste water treatment systems.  They have a lifespan of approximately 30 years if they are properly maintained and cared for.  They do not require much in the way of maintenance.   In the next paragraph we will cover the fundamentals of septic systems.

 Septic Tanks

 The septic tanks can range in size from 750 gallons to 1500 gallons or larger based on the size of the home.  Most traditional septic tanks are concrete.  Plastic septic tanks are used in some harder to install locations because of its lighter weight and ease of installation.  Every “septic” tank has at least 2 compartments.  Some older models had 3 compartments.  NEVER ONLY ONE.  The 2 compartments are sometimes referred to as sides of the tank.  The liquid side and the solid side.  All of the drains in the house including the sinks, showers, toilets and laundry enter the septic tank.  They enter on the inlet side or solids side of the tank.  There is a baffle or centre wall inside the tank that separate these two sides.  This baffle wall has a hole in the middle to allow the liquid effluent to flow across to the outlet side or liquid side of the tank.  From here the liquid effluent exits the tank and goes to the leach field or leaching area.  Septic tanks maintain an operating level about 6-8″ from the top of the tank.  When waste enters the tank, some will float and form what is called a scum mat.  Paper products and lighter substances remain here until the bacteria have a chance to digest them.  The liquid effluent remains in the center portion the the tank. The material that the bacteria digest then sinks to the bottom of the tank and forms the sludge layer at the bottom of the tank.  The idea is to pump out the solids before they reach the point that they can be carried out to the leaching area with the effluent.  Unless you have a very large family or abnormal water usage, pumping every 3 years will be adequate.  

Source: Center Septic (Abbrev.)

JoJo polyethylene or plastic septic tanks are available in a number of sizes; the chart below gives a guideline as to how to size the septic tank, depending on the number of people in the household. Not shown below is JoJo’s 6000 litre septic tank which is suitable for 10 people or more (6000 litre conservancy tank and 6000 litre underground tank also available).

Click on the links below to view the various JoJo Tanks products available in South Africa.

JoJo Tanks South Africa offer a wide range of products such as plastic water tanks and chemical tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need, including silo tanks and silo tank stands as well as other high quality JoJo Tanks products.  See JoJo Tanks’ VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS (transporter tanks), STEEL TANK STANDS and OTHER JOJO PRODUCTS and see JoJo Tanks’ NEW 6000 LITRE UNDERGROUND TANKS. Also see our FAQ and WATER TANK PRICES.