Oftentimes, when one hears the word bacteria there is an immediate negative connotation that crosses the mind. Illness, infection, or something else in the realm of not healthy is the first thought. However, there are plenty of good bacteria in the world too. For example – probiotics are one of the most talked about good bacteria and are often added to one’s diet to promote better health, usually in the digestive or gut functions. Bacteria plays a critical part in your digestive system as it eats away at food to break it down for your body to process.
At this point you might be wondering what any of this has to do with your septic tank. But as it turns out, that is also exactly how the septic tank system is designed to work. A properly functioning septic tank requires three general types of bacteria to work efficiently.
Aerobic
Aerobic bacteria requires the presence of free oxygen to flourish. These are the bacteria most effective at breaking down organic waste, however, are more susceptible to changes to their environment.
Facultative
Facultative bacteria can operate with or without the presence of oxygen. This allows for the continuation of the process in varying depths and a less suitable environment.
Anaerobic
The third type of organisms are the Anaerobic. This type of bacteria is like the Aerobic, but smaller in size and less efficient in the job of breaking down the waste. The tradeoff, however, is they are more resilient and can withstand harsher changes to their system.
Keeping your septic system balanced and maintained is critical to proper function. We’ve talked about the basic rules to follow when you own one, but it is still extremely important to have a professional service your system periodically to ensure longevity and avoid costly mishaps down the road.