Specifications

Page 48
Milan Supply Company/Milan Engineered Systems
COMMON EFFLUENT FILTER QUESTIONS
What is a septic tank?
The septic tank is the  rst component in a private wastewa-
ter system. It is a large, underground, watertight container
that typically ranges in size from 1000 to 1500 gallon capac-
ity. In addition to the overall physical size, tanks also vary
according to the internal con guration based upon whether
the tank is a single or double compartment container. The
number of bedrooms in the house usually determines the
actual size.
How does it work?
Raw water  ows from the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry
room into the tank, where the solids are separated from the
liquid. The heavier solids settle to the bottom of the tank,
where bacteria gradually decompose them. However, some
of the solids will remain, forming a sludge layer that will
eventually have to be pumped out.
The lighter solids; such as fats, oils, and greases, will  oat
to the top and gradually thicken. This scum layer will also
eventually have to be pumped out. The liquid waste, which
is in between the scum layer and the sludge layer, goes to the
drain eld.
Why do I need an ef uent  lter?
The last component in the system is the drain eld. The soil
below the drain eld is the  nal disposal area for the liquid
waste, commonly referred to as ef uent. The drain eld will
last inde nitely unless it is forced to handle large particles,
which will cause it to clog. Once the system becomes clogged,
ef uent will either rise to the surface above the drain eld, or
back-up into the home.
An ef uent  lter protects your drain eld by keeping large
particles in the tank, while allowing the ef uent to go to
the drain eld. The drain eld is the most expensive part of
your septic system, costing thousands of dollars to repair or
replace.
How often does the  lter need to be cleaned?
Several different factors will determine how often your  lter
will require maintenance. Two primary factors are the num-
ber of people living in the house and the amount of water
used. In addition, personal needs and individual habits can
inhibit the normal function of your septic tank. Garbage dis-
posals, anti-bacterial soaps and detergents, pharmaceutical
medicines, and disposing unwanted material into the tank,
can all place additional stress on the  lter.
How do I know what  lter to buy?
The single most important factor is to make sure you select a
 lter that will require minimum maintenance. While there is
no shortage of cheap  lters to choose from, many homeown-
ers end up throwing cheap  lters away because they quickly
become plugged and require constant cleaning and mainte-
nance.
The excitement of saving a few dollars on the initial cost of
an ef uent  lter will quickly be forgotten when the  lter
becomes clogged and you’re left with the choice between
cleaning it, or paying someone else to clean it.
Tell your installer that you want a  lter that will protect your
drain eld, is designed to require minimum maintenance, and
is strong enough to last for the life of your septic system.
BOTTOM LINE: PICK A FILTER YOU CAN LIVE WITH