Types of North Carolina Septic Systems

Conventional

• A conventional septic system consists of a septic tank with a drain field or leach field where gravel and pipes allow the waste water to drain off through the ground. Anywhere from two to six trenches run through a gravel laced drain field exist for these conventional septic systems. Each trench has a drain pipe that allows waste water to seep out into the gravel. Gravity pushes sewage into the septic tank. The solid waste remains in one compartment while the waste water runs into a distribution box. The distribution box releases water into the drain pipes and into the drain field.

Low Pressure Septic System

• The low pressure septic system is used in areas of North Carolina close to the ocean. The system uses dosing chambers and small pipes to limit the amount of waste water that saturates the drain field. The low pressure releases a limited amount of waste into the drain field to prevent waste water from contaminating creeks, rivers or other natural water deposits.

Mound

• A mound septic system is built above ground. A septic tank catches the sewage and the waste water runs into a separate storage tank. Since the septic system is above ground, a pump is used to allow the sewage to run into the septic tank. The system uses a vertical separation method, allowing the water to drain upward, preventing the waste water from getting into rivers or creeks during the rainy season. The mound septic system is primarily used in flood planes or areas prone to flood throughout the year.

Aerobic Septic System

• The aerobic septic system uses bacteria to eat away most of the solid waste and accelerates the treatment of waste water. The bacteria additive in the septic tank cleans the waste water before it is distributed into the drain field. The high-quality waste water can be released out into farming areas because of the cleanliness of the contents.