SEPTIC SYSTEM
The Septic System is a series of pipes, tanks, and drains responsible for receiving household sewage and recycling it back to the environment in a safe and friendly manner. If properly maintained, a well-designed septic system will last for decades, however, if it is neglected, it can back up and clog which can result in an expensive excavation and even a complete replacement that could cost thousands of dollars.

The septic tank is the key component of the septic system. It serves as a settling basin where waste solids accumulate and gradually get broken down and solubilized by bacterial action. Some of the organic waste, also known as the organic fraction, gets liquefied by natural bacterial decomposition, however, the rest of the waste accumulates in the bottom of the tank as a layer of sludge. A small percentage of the waste, mostly fats and oils, may float to the top of the tank to form a layer of semi-solid scum.

The septic tank is usually connected to a drainage field or seepage pit that receives the waste already digested by the bacteria in the septic tank and safely filters it back to the environment.

When added to the septic system, the bacteria in AquaClean accelerate the natural degradation process of the waste and maintain the system in good working order, free from clogging and backup. This can ultimately save the customer thousands of dollars in expensive maintenance and repair costs associated with a non-functioning system.

DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM
Most septic tanks consist of a watertight, below ground tank that has one or two manhole covers buried a few inches below ground to provide access for pumping, cleaning and inspection. Effluent from the house or building flows into the tank through an inlet pipe near the top on one side and gets diverted downward with a minimum of splashing to allow¬ the solids to sink to the bottom.

The waste then flows out through a discharge or overflow pipe at the other side. The pipe may end in a large tee-fitting or baffle which prevents the effluent from flowing straight across from one pipe to the other and getting discharged to the environment without first being treated by the bacteria in the tank.

Outgoing effluent is drawn from several feet below the top layer of the floating waste (grease, oil, scum) so that only liquid waste or solids that have been liquefied by the bacteria at the bottom of the septic tank get discharged out to the drainage field. In the drainage field, further decomposition of the soluble organics will occur, so the wastewater can be safely discharged to the environment.

Many new tanks are built with two internal compartments. These compartments mini¬mize the potential for solids carryover to the drainage field. The majority of the solids are allowed to accumulate and digest in the first section of the tank, so the second compartment can remain solids free. It is vital that solids are contained in the tank to avoid discharge and subsequent clogging of the drainage field.

In some newer aerated septic systems, the digestion of solids and break¬down of organics (BOD) is accelerated through the introduction of air (oxygen) into the waste. Oxygen is vital in the natural waste decomposition process and will significantly improve the performance of the bacteria in the system. The oxygen in the system will keep the first compartment aerobic while the second compartment can be used as a settling chamber and oxidize nitrogenous components of the sewage once the organics (BOD) are removed.

COMPONENTS OF SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEMS
A typical household sewage treatment system consists of a house sewer, septic tank, distribution box and absorption field or seepage pit.

House Sewer - The pipeline connecting the house and drain and the septic tank.

Septic Tank - Untreated liquid household wastes (sewage) will quickly clog the absorption field if not properly treated with bacteria. The septic tank provides this needed treatment. When sewage enters the septic tank, the heavy solids settle to the bottom of the tank, and the lighter solids, fats and greases partially decompose and rise to the surface to form a layer of scum. The solids that have settled to the bottom are attacked by bacteria where they become solubilized or form sludge.

Distribution Box - Serves to distribute the flow from the septic tank evenly to the absorption field or seepage pits. It is important that each trench or pit receive an equal amount of flow. This prevents overloading of one part of the system.

Absorption Field - A system of narrow trenches partially filled with a bed of washed gravel or crushed stone into which perforated or open joint pipe is placed. The discharge from the septic tank is distributed through these pipes into trenches and surrounding soil. The water filters through the soil back to the groundwater or to recharge a receiving stream. In the process the water is further purified biologically, and bacteria are filtered out providing clean water to the aquifer or stream.

Cesspools - Work in a similar manner to septic systems. Sewage water seeps through the open bottom and portholes in the sides of the walls of the cesspool. These can also clog up with overuse if the appropriate bacteria are not present to degrade and solubilize the waste.

MAINTENANCE
Since solids will continue to build up at the bottom of the tank, it is imperative that the septic tank be pumped out periodically. The inorganic fraction of the sludge is not biodegradable, and if it is not pumped out, sludge will accumulate until it overflows where it can cause problems in the absorption field.

The frequency of pumping out will depend primarily on the amount of wastewater and solids that go through the system each day. The more solid waste thrown in the system, the quicker the tank will fill up. Heavy flows of water also tend to make the tank fill up more quickly. The AquaClean bacteria will solubilize the organic fraction of the waste, keep the system free from clogging and significantly reduce the frequency of costly pumping and cleaning.

TREATMENT
Make certain there are live bacteria in your system at all times. The bacteria’s job is to digest all organic waste matter in the system. If there is no bacteria in your system, it will simply act as a holding tank for your waste. When the tank becomes full, natural digestion will not occur, and the system will back up.

AquaClean is a proprietary formula of live bacteria effective in breaking down the organic fraction of sewage and wastewater. AquaClean is highly successful in maintaining septic tanks and systems in optimal conditions. By breaking down the solids quickly and effectively, AquaClean significantly reduces costly maintenance to the system, which includes tank pumping, and system backup. When used regularly, the septic system will function properly and avoid costly repair and/or replacement. AquaClean will remediate percolation problems in the drainage field soil and assure constant filtration back to the environment.

Unlike chemicals that are harmful to the environment, AquaClean is 100% natural and completely safe for the environment. The bacterial populations have been determined by repetitive plate count to be in excess of 350 million organisms per milliliter, making AquaClean one of the most concentrated and effective products on the market.

APPLICATION
The application of AquaClean to the septic system is easy. Simply, use the following table to determine the correct quantity and frequency of application.

Add the correct amount of AquaClean indoors to the toilets and sinks or outdoors to the underground distribution box. If applied indoors, it is recommended that the application be divided evenly among all of the toilets and sinks in the house. This allows AquaClean to also attack any solids that may have built up in the pipes themselves as well as in the septic system.

APPLICATION TABLE

TO APPLY AQUACLEAN

AquaClean can be added to the septic system via the toilets or sinks in the house or directly to the distribution box (if applicable) in the yard.

In the Distribution Box – Locate the porthole access in the yard, and add the recommended dosage of AquaClean directly in the box.

In the Toilet – Add AquaClean directly to toilet and flush the toilet once.
In the Sink – Add AquaClean to the sink and run warm (not hot) water for 3 minutes.

Do not add AquaClean immediately before or after the use of household chemicals or detergents, as these products can inhibit bacteria growth. It is recommended that AquaClean be added at night after system use has stopped for the day.

AQUACLEAN

What makes AquaClean so unique is that the adult bacteria in the container are dormant and remain that way until it is poured into your system where they will immediately revive and begin feeding and reproducing while attacking the organic waste matter in your pipes, septic tanks and leachfields.