A Queen Bee's Septic LLC Elkton, Md. 410-620-2006
Helping you maintain a healthy living environment.
The Drain Field
The Drain Field
The drain field is typically a series of two or more trenches that are approx. 24" wide and are 2 ' to 16' deep, depending on your area and soil type. A call to the Health Department will reveal what soil type you have. The trenches are usually filled with large 2" washed stone but depending on your area, can also be filled with such things as long net socks filled with packing peanuts or plastic domed perforated products called Infiltrators. In our area stone is plentiful, so it is the material of choice. Many believe that the stone that fills the trench actually filters the water that comes from the septic tank. This is not true. It only holds the trench open which explains why other products are sometimes used in lieu of stone.
When water exits the septic tank and flows into the drain field, it is delivered by means of large 4' plastic pipe that has holes along it's length to distribute the water along the length of the trench. In time, this effluent water that is discharged from the septic tank into the trench will cause a substance called Biomat to form on the walls and bottom of the trench. This Biomat is the miracle that causes septic systems to function. It is a reaction that happens when this septic water comes in contact with the soil. The Biomat slows the rate at which the soil accepts this water and at the same time filters it, releasing good water back into the soil and ultimately into the water table.
Nature at it's best.
IMPORTANT
If your septic system is neglected, the scum and sludge soon fill the tank and displace the water that normally flows into the drain field. When this condition occurs, If you flush your toilet or cycle your washer, it dumps water into the tank and forces sludge and scum out of the tank and into the drain dield. This extremely important Biomat will not tolerate coming into contact with sludge or scum. These culprits will rapidly disrupt the flow of oxygen to the biomat and it will stop functioning by not allowing water to pass through it and on to the water table. This is what causes systems to fail and makes water pond up over drain field trenches. This condition will sometimes manifest itself by causing a more lush growth of grass over the trench.
The drain field is typically a series of two or more trenches that are approx. 24" wide and are 2 ' to 16' deep, depending on your area and soil type. A call to the Health Department will reveal what soil type you have. The trenches are usually filled with large 2" washed stone but depending on your area, can also be filled with such things as long net socks filled with packing peanuts or plastic domed perforated products called Infiltrators. In our area stone is plentiful, so it is the material of choice. Many believe that the stone that fills the trench actually filters the water that comes from the septic tank. This is not true. It only holds the trench open which explains why other products are sometimes used in lieu of stone.
When water exits the septic tank and flows into the drain field, it is delivered by means of large 4' plastic pipe that has holes along it's length to distribute the water along the length of the trench. In time, this effluent water that is discharged from the septic tank into the trench will cause a substance called Biomat to form on the walls and bottom of the trench. This Biomat is the miracle that causes septic systems to function. It is a reaction that happens when this septic water comes in contact with the soil. The Biomat slows the rate at which the soil accepts this water and at the same time filters it, releasing good water back into the soil and ultimately into the water table.
Nature at it's best.
IMPORTANT
If your septic system is neglected, the scum and sludge soon fill the tank and displace the water that normally flows into the drain field. When this condition occurs, If you flush your toilet or cycle your washer, it dumps water into the tank and forces sludge and scum out of the tank and into the drain dield. This extremely important Biomat will not tolerate coming into contact with sludge or scum. These culprits will rapidly disrupt the flow of oxygen to the biomat and it will stop functioning by not allowing water to pass through it and on to the water table. This is what causes systems to fail and makes water pond up over drain field trenches. This condition will sometimes manifest itself by causing a more lush growth of grass over the trench.
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