Septic systems – whether residential or commercial, conventional, or alternative – work to treat wastewater as it’s disposed from the home. The septic tank separates the waste into three layers, including solids, liquids (effluent), and scum. The effluent, or liquid waste, is dispersed through the drain field, which is a series of perforated pipes that slowly emit the liquid into the surrounding soil. The solids, or sludge, and scum are retained in the tank until it is pumped out by one of our septic system technicians.