Town Engineer Town Hall, Room 203
(518) 439-4955, Ext. 1137
E-mail:
Welcome to the Town of Bethlehem Septic System Page
What is a Septic System?
A septic system is a highly efficient, self-contained, underground wastewater
treatment system. Because septic systems treat and dispose of household
wastewater onsite, they are often more economical than centralized sewer systems
in rural areas where lot sizes are larger and houses are spaced widely apart.
Septic systems are also simple in design, which make them generally less
expensive to install and maintain. And by using natural processes to treat the
wastewater onsite, usually in a homeowner's backyard, septic systems don't
require the installation of miles of sewer lines, making them less disruptive to
the environment.
A septic system consists of two main parts - a septic tank and a drain field. The
septic tank is a watertight box, usually made of concrete or fiberglass, with an
inlet and outlet pipe. Wastewater flows from the home to the septic tank through
the sewer pipe. The septic tank treats the wastewater naturally by holding it in
the tank long enough for solids and liquids to separate. The wastewater forms
three layers inside the tank. Solids lighter than water (such as greases and
oils) float to the top forming a layer of scum. Solids heavier than water settle
at the bottom of the tank forming a layer of sludge. This leaves a middle layer
of partially clarified wastewater.
The layers of sludge and scum remain in the septic tank where bacteria found
naturally in the wastewater work to break the solids down. The sludge and scum
that cannot be broken down are retained in the tank until the tank is pumped.
The layer of clarified liquid flows from the septic tank to the drain field or
to a distribution device, which helps to uniformly distribute the wastewater in
the drain field. A standard drain field (also known as a leach field, disposal
field, or a soil absorption system) is a series of trenches or a bed lined with
gravel or course sand and buried one to three feet below the ground surface.
Perforated pipes or drain tiles run through the trenches to distribute the
wastewater. The drain field treats the wastewater by allowing it to slowly
trickle from the pipes out into the gravel and down through the soil. The gravel
and soil act as biological filters.
Who approves Septic System Designs?
The Albany County Health Department approves and regulates on-site wastewater treatment
systems and residential septic systems, as well as private water systems.
Maintenance Issues
If you own a septic system, it is important that it be properly maintained. How often
you need to pump the solids out of your septic tank depends on three major
factors:
the number of people in your household;
the amount of wastewater generated (based on the number of people in
the household and the amount of water used); and
the volume of solids in the wastewater (e.g., using a garbage disposal
will increase the amount of solids).
Although your septic tank absorption
field generally does not require maintenance, you should adhere to the following
rules to protect and prolong its functional life:
Do not drive over the absorption field with cars, trucks, or heavy equipment.
Do not plant trees or shrubbery in the absorption field area, because the
roots can get into the lines and plug them.
Do not cover the absorption field
with hard surfaces, such as concrete or asphalt. Grass is the best cover,
because it will help prevent erosion and help remove excess water.
Do divert surface runoff water
from roofs, patios, driveways, and other areas away from the absorption
field.
Homeowners wanting to take good care of
their septic systems should make note of the following items that should never
be flushed down the drain or toilet. These items can overtax or destroy the
biological digestion taking place within the system or clog pumps and pipes.
Town of Bethlehem: 445 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054 Ph: 518.439.4955
No portion of this website may be reproduced in whole or part without written consent.
