Septic basics

Start here if you have just bought a home on septic, or you have owned one for years and never looked under the lids. These guides explain the parts, the different system types and how to find yours.

How is a septic system designed? Septic design starts with the soil, not the tank. See how site evaluation, soil tests, bedrooms and local permits decide the system a property can have.
Septic tank lids and risers explained A secure septic lid can save a life, and a riser makes pumping easier. Learn what they do, what to check, typical costs and how to stay safe.
How does an aerobic septic system work? An aerobic septic system pumps air into wastewater so oxygen-loving microbes can treat it. See each stage, plus what it needs to keep working.
How to find your septic tank Find your septic tank using county records, the sewer pipe's exit point and a careful probe. Learn the steps, and when to call 811 before you start.
Septic system diagram with every part explained See labeled septic system diagrams from the side and from above, with a plain explanation of what each part does and how it connects to the next.
How a septic system works Follow wastewater from your house through the tank, leach field and soil, and see how a conventional septic system treats it underground.