What Is a Septic System?
The Ins and Outs of Septic Systems
Q: Marsha, I’m purchasing a home that is on a septic system rather than the public sewer. My home inspector strongly suggests I pay for a septic tank inspection. How do septic systems work?
A: Your home inspector is correct; it is important to know the status of your home’s septic system. Here’s a little background information for you.
According to the EPA, more than 20 percent of homes in the United States use some form of a septic system, or underground sewage container, instead of connecting to a sewage system. Sanitary and waste management is no longer top of mind for most denizens of developed countries. Much like our clean drinking water, we take sewage treatment for granted. Over the millennia, communities have handled their populations’ waste in different ways. The septic system was a great advance for waste management. Where did it come from?
