Operation, maintenance, and repair needs for wastewater ponds are presented in another bulletin. A wastewater pond is a small fenced water body with a 3 to 5 foot liquid depth that receives sewage. Pond size is determined by the number of occupants, size of home, the amount of wastewater, evaporation, and soil. Sewage enters the pond by a pipe below the surface but above the bottom, near the center of the pond. Ponds must be nondischarging, meaning no overflow.
Water is disposed of by percolation and evaporation.
A wastewater pond is a nutrient enriched complex ecosystem. Bacteria and other microorganisms consume oxygen as they feed on sewage components and give off carbon dioxide used by algae. Oxygen also enters as air blows across the water surface. Wastes are broken down by microorganisms into water, gasses, and residual solids, which settle and accumulate in the pond. Although odor from a good pond is rare, when it occurs, it is usually because the natural biological system is upset.