Septic tanks are an underground chamber made of concrete, fiberglass, or plastic through which domestic wastewater flows for basic treatment. Settling and anaerobic processes reduce solids and organics, but the treatment efficiency is only moderate (referred to as “primary treatment”). Septic tank systems can be used in areas that are not connected to a sewerage system, such as rural areas. Treatment at this level is called “secondary treatment,” but these systems require more complicated engineering than primary septic tanks.
The Benefits of a Concrete Septic tank
Concrete septic tanks are a good choice if you need to keep the area around your tank dry. They are also easier and cheaper to install than other types of septic tanks.
“Primary treatment,” which refers only to settling for solids and anaerobic process for organics, is not sufficient for many municipalities in developed countries. Septic systems that provide “secondary treatment” include advanced wastewater treatments such as activated sludge or membrane filtration processes. These more complicated engineering projects require significant land space requirements, so they are often used when new development takes place close by existing infrastructure (such as sewer connections). Secondary treatment reduces BOD levels at least 90% but these systems can be costly due to their complexity relative to primary treatment systems.
Fiberglass or Concrete Tanks
The benefits of concrete septic systems are that they have a lower chance of leaking and are less expensive to install. Fiberglass septic tank systems rely on the weight of water inside the pipe for their stability, so they need reinforcing with concrete or deep installation into bedrock (which can make them costly).
The cost of concrete versus fiberglass septic tanks systems can vary hugely depending on the volume of wastewater and location.
Costs and Timeframe for Installation
The cost of a septic tank design is calculated by multiplying the sewage flow rate in gallons per day (GPD) times $0.50 to determine installation costs; this may not include any other site preparation or engineering fees that are necessary for an engineered system.
There’s nothing wrong with using old-style septic tanks, but you do need to be mindful about what materials they were made from as these could cause environmental problems down the line – such as leaking fuel oil into groundwater supplies.
A concrete septic tank requires less land space than fiberglass systems, so it is often used when new development takes place close by existing infrastructure (such as sewer connections).
Concrete septic tank installations are more expensive than fiberglass systems, typically costing twice as much.
Concrete septic tank recycling is a relatively new practice that could help save money and resources for homeowners.
It’s worth noting that the average life span of most concrete septic tanks is 15 to 20 years before they need replacing; while fiberglass systems can last up to 40 years or more with proper installation and maintenance (depending on how often wastewater enters).
The Problems with Fiberglass Septic Systems Are Three-Fold:
The first is that they can be easily damaged by physical abuse, such as being struck with a shovel or heavy object. The second problem is that the tanks are often exposed to sunlight and ultraviolet radiation from the sun’s rays which will eventually lead them to deteriorate. And thirdly, acidic waste products from household chemicals like bleach can destroy fiberglass septic systems over time.
Plastic septic tanks used in residential homes today are typically constructed of polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe surrounded by two layers of geotextile fabric for strength and added protection against punctures caused by rocks. Plastic pipes also have an average life span of 15 years or more when properly maintained, but there have been some reports suggesting that they don’t last as long when they are exposed to freezing temperatures.
A cement-lined septic tank is usually a large, cylindrical concrete structure with an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe that sits on top of the ground surface or is buried slightly underground. These tanks can be installed when new homes are built but sometimes homeowners may want to add one if they have been relying exclusively on a leach field for many years without success. The main advantage of these systems is durability, which makes them ideal for households located in areas where there’s heavy traffic on the property or near bodies of water because it provides additional protection against leaks occurring during floods or storms and will allow you to postpone lining replacement up until 2026 (20 year intervals).
Concrete septic tanks have a clear advantage over fiberglass because there is a risk of fiberglass tanks cracking over time and the environmental issues of creating fiberglass, like releasing hydrochloric acid into the atmosphere.