Septic drain fields are used to remove contaminants and impurities from the liquid that emerges from the septic tank. This is typically done by burying perforated pipes in trenches and allowing the liquid to leach out and the surrounding soil absorbs the unwanted waste. Another term for this is leach field. A septic tank is part of a small scale sewage treatment system often referred to as a septic system, which consists of the tank itself and a leach (drain) field. ...
The design of the septic drain field is determined by the size of the dwelling that it serves and the soil conditions. The soil conditions would be tested by a method called a perc test. An engineer may be required to work with the local governing agency to design a system that conforms to these criteria. A perc test (from the word percolation, alternatively spelled perk test) is a test to determine the absorption rate of soil for a septic drain field or leach field. In order to gain the permits necessary to build a house, the surrounding land must be tested to determine if the...
A septic tank, the septic drain field, and the associated piping comprise a complete septic system. A septic tank is part of a small scale sewage treatment system often referred to as a septic system, which consists of the tank itself and a leach (drain) field. ... On-site septic disposal systems are common in rural areas where public sewage treatment systems do not exist. ...
The size of the leachfield is proportional to the volume of wastewater and inversely proportional to the porosity of the drainage field.
Not only is this bad for the environment, but if the sludge overflows the septic tank into the leachfield, it may damage the leachfield piping requiring expensive repairs.
Even grass roots can clog the field if the leach lines are shallow and the soil porous, so root killer may be needed to keep the lines clear.