septic info including soils evaluation

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3 Dosing The liquid from the septic tank can flow by gravity to th- seepage trench system but it is commonly discharged from a chamber arranged for intermittent pumping. A pumped discharge has advantages , especially on level ground where it is desired to keep the system as shallow as practical to obtain maximum advantage of irrigation by upward flow of water by capillary action. Leachin. S stem As with most soil absorption systems , the effluent from the treatment tank flows into a seepage trench system. The trenches are usually 2 feet wide and a total of 3-1/2 to 4 feet deep. Perforated drain pipes discharge the liquid into a bed of rock which extends to above and 2-1/2 to 3 feet below the pipe . The lines are laid "serially, " that is , one continuous line . For a home, the length varies according to site conditions but is seldom over a total of 170 feet long (a considerably shorter trench system than for a conventional system) . Electro-Osmosis System The unique feature of the electro-osmosis system is . that the direct electric current is provided and maintained by literally creating a long-life dry cell battery in the soil . At various points along and immediately next to the seepage trenchs and on their down-slope sides (away from the s ptic tank) , cells are constructed (usually 3 feet wide , sixfe t long and 6 feet deep) . On the up-slope and several feet from the seepage trenches , are constructed one or more 6 foot deep cells filled with coke and having graphite cores and having vertical pipes which serve as vents and inspection openings. (Cathodes) Downslope cells (anodes) are filled with a special mineralized rock. The seepage trenches are built so one section must fill to the level of the distribution pipe before liquid can enter the next section. This facilitates lateral movement of the liquid. It also provides a " factor of safety" since it is seldom that all sections of the system are in actual use .