Where suitable, however, conventional septic-absorption fields will remain common for many years to come because of their relatively low initial cost and low operating cost. They have proven very satisfactory when properly located, designed, installed, and maintained. This publication outlines the proper procedures to ensure satisfactory performance of a conventional septic system. Before arranging for installation, contact your county Extension office or County Health Officer for the names of experienced installers, and also consult homeowners who have had good performance from their systems over a number of years for the names of competent installers. The effluent from the septic tank then flows by gravity into the subsurface absorption field where it infiltrates into the soil.
Septic systems require care in site selection, design, and construction.
It will also plot specific layouts of the septic field for various trench widths that will best fit the shape and size of the disposal area. The following construction steps explain the correct procedure for installation of a conventional septic system. If the guidelines are carefully followed, they should help insure many years of troublefree operation. All soils within the boundaries of the property should be identified to evaluate their suitability for an on-site soil absorption field by a knowledgeable professional. The absorption field should be located in the most suitable soils and should even have location priority over a new home.