On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems - "Septic Systems"

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Dan Jennissen, Director
Pennington County Planning & Zoning
315 Saint Joseph Street
Suite 118
Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone: (605)394-2186
Fax: (605)394-6016
E-Mail the Planning Director

How does an on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) work?

An on-site wastewater treatment system consists of four major components: the building sewer (pipe exiting home), the septic tank, the drainfield (or absorption system) and the soil. The septic tank separates the solids from the liquids before the liquid (or effluent) enters the drainfield. The absorption system then disperses the effluent into the soils. Microorganisms in the soil provide further treatment by removing constituents such as nitrates, phosphates, bacteria and viruses.

What can a property owner do to maintain an OWTS?

At a minimum, taking these four steps to maintain an on-site wastewater treatment system may prolong the life of the system:

Pump the septic tank.
Conserve water.
Flush responsibly.
Take care in what goes down the drain.

Why is it important to pump the septic tank?

The solids from household wastes accumulate in the septic tank and are more commonly called “sludge”. With continued use, this sludge volume continues to increase over time. If the sludge volume reaches the outlet tee, it begins to enter the drainfield. The sludge will eventually plug the outlet pipe of the septic tank and/or plug the drainfield soils, therefore, decreasing the soils’ infiltration ability. A soil’s infiltration ability is its ability to filter the effluent’s contaminants, such as nutrients and pathogens. Once the drainfield is plugged with solids, it loses its effectiveness in treating wastes, which include nutrients and pathogens. These untreated nutrients and pathogens can potentially contaminate nearby surface and groundwater sources.

Conserve Water!

Take five-minute showers instead of baths.
A full bathtub requires around 70 gallons of water where a five minute shower typically uses 10-25 gallons of water.
Leave faucets off while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Leaving the water run can use up to 8 gallons of water per day.
Wash dishes and clothes only when you have a full load.
The average washing machine uses over 40 gallons of water per load.
Fix leaking faucets. A leaking faucet can waste over 8 gallons of water per day.
Fix leaky toilets. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day.
Update old dishwashers, toilets, washers and shower heads with high-efficiency models.

Take care in what you put into your drains.

DO NOT flush:

Dental floss
Feminine hygiene products
Diapers
Condoms
Cotton swabs
Cigarette butts
Cat litter
Paper towels

DO NOT put:

Gasoline
Motor oil
Pesticides
Antifreeze
Paint
Paint thinners
Grease
Cooking oil
And any non-household chemicals down the drains!

Household cleaners should be used in moderation so that they do not interfere with the biological processes that take place in an on-site wastewater treatment system.

Restrict the use of a garbage disposal or do not have one at all.

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