The purpose of the system is to remove most of the harmful items that might get into the water. Septic systems require periodic maintenance. Properly maintaining your septic system is the key to its efficiency. Waste water from the house flows into the septic tank. The purpose of the tank is to hold the water long enough so that the solids can settle out.
Lighter particles form a scum at the top.
This process leaves a middle layer of partially clarified water. An outlet baffle in the tank is positioned to allow only this middle water layer out of the tank and into the septic bed. Both the sludge and the scum stay inside the tank. The liquid waste contains contaminants such as nitrates, phosphorus, disease causing bacteria and viruses, dissolved metals, detergents, and solvents. The septic bed acts as a leaching field.