What Is a Gravity-Fed Septic System?

The Purpose of a septic system is to dispose of domestic wastewater or sewage from a building in such a manner as to protect public health and the environment. There are four main components to a septic system:

1. Building Sewer: Connects the building plumbing to the septic tank.
   
2. Septic Tank: allows for the settling of solids and provides the initial treatment of the sewage. This is where waste material is broken down by bacterial action. A properly functioning septic tank will reduce pollutant levels and produce an effluent of fairly uniform quality.
   
3. Distribution Piping: Directs the flow of sewage effluent to the leaching system in a manner that assures full utilization of the system. Sewage effluent can flow through the distribution piping by means of gravity, or with the assistance of a mechanical pump or siphon. 
4. Leaching System: Disperses the sewage effluent into the surrounding soil. There are many types of leaching systems. The Specific type utilized on a property is usually dependent on the soil conditions on the site. Most residential installations utilize stone-filled leaching tranches or hollow structures surrounded by stone.