Terminology & Definitions
Above
Grade :
Above the natural surface
of the ground.
Absorption
Component :
A component of a septic
system designed to disperse
effluent from a septic
system into the ground.
Active
System :
A septic system that
requires external energy
and mechanical equipment
to function as designed.
Aeration
Chamber :
A large volume container
made of concrete, fiberglass,
steel or plastic, that
may be fabricated integrally
with a septic tank, designed
to house equipment used
to induce oxygen (air)
into the effluent.
Aerobic
Bacteria :
Odorless highly efficient
bacteria that live only
in the presence of oxygen.
Anaerobic
Bacteria :
Oderfull inefficient
bacteria that live only
in the absence of oxygen.
Bedrock :
A hard continuous and
impermeable layer of
rock.
Bio-Mat :
A black slimy growth
and by-product of anaerobic
bacteria that grows at
the interface of the
distribution component
and the surrounding soil
that becomes impermeable
to effluent flow.
BOD :
Biological oxygen demand
is a method to measure
the strength or concentration
of biodegradable material
in effluent measured
in milligrams per liter
(mg/l).
BOD5 :
A test that determines
the amount of oxygen
consumed by effluent
during a five day test
period at 70 degrees
F
Constructed
Wetland :
A man-made filtering
swamp containing plants
that effluent from a
septic tank can be dispersed
to.
Distribution
Box :
A small hollow cylindrical,
square, or rectangular
structure constructed
beneath the ground made
of concrete, fiberglass,
plastic or steel that
is ed to a septic
tank on the inlet side
and is ed to a
series of perforated
pipes located in the
distribution field or
cell.
Distribution
cell :
A narrow rectangular
trench that contains
a perforated piping system
bedded and covered in
washed gravel in such
a manner that effluent
can flow into it from
a septic system and be
uniformly dispersed into
the ground.
Distribution
Component :
The portion of the septic
system designed to uniformly
distribute effluent into
the ground.
Distribution
field :
A wide square or rectangular
pit that contains a perforated
piping system bedded
and covered in washed
gravel in such a manner
that effluent can flow
into it from a septic
system and be uniformly
dispersed into the ground.
Distribution
Laterals :
Perforated pipes made
of plastic, clay or concrete
buried in a distribution
component such as a distribution
field or cell or a mound
system that uniformly
disperses effluent flow
from a septic tank within
the distribution component.
DO :
Dissolved oxygen. A method
to evaluate the performance
of an aerobic treatment
system measured in milligrams
per liter (mg/l).
Dry
Well :
See Seepage pit.
Effluent
Baffle :
A U-shaped vertical devise
anchored to the wall
of a septic tank located
at the outlet of a septic
tank, that is open on
the top and bottom, that
is typically made of
plastic or fiberglass,
that discourages the
flow of solids out of
the septic tank into
the distribution component.
Effluent
Filter :
A housing and cartridge
typically made of plastic
located at the outlet
of a septic tank containing
small openings as to
allow liquids to pass
through it and not allow
solids to pass through
it.
Effluent
Layer :
The middle layer of gray
or brownish murky liquid
in a septic tank that
is mostly comprised of
water with small microscopic
matter in suspension.
Effluent
Pump :
An electric motor driven
pump used to transfer
liquid effluent from
a pumping chamber to
a distribution component
when the system is so
designed, as the effluent
cannot flow by gravity.
Effluent :
A gray and or brownish
murky liquid that contains
small microscopic matter
in suspension that flows
out of a septic tank.
Facultative
Bacteria :
Strains of bacteria that
live in the presence
or absence of oxygen.
Grade :
The natural surface of
the ground.
Ground
Water Table :
The natural level of
water beneath the ground.
...In Situ: Below grade,
under ground.
Influent :
Raw untreated swage that
flows from a home, business,
or institution.
Lateral :
A perforated pipe made
of concrete, clay or
plastic that is designed
to uniformly disperse
effluent in the distribution
component.
Mound
System :
An above grade distribution
component used in areas
such as slowly permeable
soils, shallow permeable
soils over a limiting
layer, or permeable soils
with high water tables.
P.O.W.T.S. :
Private Onsite Wastewater
Treatment System.
Passive
system :
A septic system that
requires no external
energy source to function
as designed.
Ponded
Effluent :
The accumulation of effluent
in a distribution component
that is not functioning
as designed.
Pumping
Chamber :
A large volume container
made of concrete, fiberglass,
steel or plastic, that
may be fabricated integrally
with a septic tank that
is designed to house
an effluent pump.
PVC
Pipe :
Rigid white plastic pipe
made of poly vinyl chloride.
Riser:
A hollow cylindrical pipe
made of concrete, fiberglass,
steel or plastic.
Sand
Filter :
A wide square or rectangular
filtration pit with an
impermeable bottom that
contains a perforated
piping system bedded
and covered in washed
sand in such a manner
that effluent can filtrate
through it and be collected
at the bottom and be
pumped into a distribution
component.
Saturated :
A condition when a distribution
component receives more
effluent than it can
disperse into the surrounding
soil.
Scum
Layer :
The top layer of matter
in a septic tank that
is lighter than water
and comprised of grease,
oil and soap.
Secure
Cover :
A septic tank cover with
a locking means to secure
the cover from removal
by unauthorized persons.
Seepage
pit :
A hollow and porous cylindrical,
square, or rectangular
structure constructed
beneath the ground made
of concrete or cinder
block or bricks in such
a manner that effluent
can flow into it from
a septic system and be
uniformly dispersed into
the surrounding ground.
Separation
distance :
The distance between
the bottom of the distribution
component and the natural
water table level in
the ground.
Septic
Tank :
a large tank made of
concrete, fiberglass,
plastic or steel used
in a septic system in
which the solid matter
of continuously flowing
sewage is partially disintegrated
by anaerobic bacteria
Septic :
Putrefactive, rotten,
to make rotten.
Settling
Chamber :
A large volume container
made of concrete, fiberglass,
steel or plastic, that
may be fabricated integrally
with a septic tank that
is designed to substantially
slow the flow rate of
effluent as to provide
sufficient time for solids
to precipitate out of
the liquid effluent.
Sludge
Layer :
The bottom layer of matter
in a septic tank that
is heavier than water
and comprised of solids.
System
Failure :
A condition when a distribution
component becomes saturated
and foul-smelling effluent
appears on the ground
above the distribution
component creating a
health and environmental
hazard.
Treatment
Chamber :
A large volume container
made of concrete, fiberglass;
steel or plastic designed
to hold sewage so that
the sewage can be bio-chemically
processed.
Vent
Pipe :
A vertical pipe made
of plastic, steel, clay,
or cast iron that is
ed to a component
of a septic system that
allows displaced air
to flow to the atmosphere.
Vented
Cover :
Cover of concrete, fiberglass,
steel or plastic that
has an integral vent
pipe.
Water
Table :
The naturally occurring
layer of fresh water
beneath the surface of
the ground.
|
