If bleach is regularly dumped into a septic system, it can upset the balance of bacteria.
An aerobic septic system is a septic system in which the growth of bacteria is encouraged in order to further break down the effluent from the septic system before it is released. These septic systems require less space and can be used when a conventional anaerobic septic system does not fit or is not practical. They can also be used to check or repair a conventional septic system that has begun to malfunction. Numerous companies make aerobic septic systems and they can be installed by plumbing and septic professionals.
In general, care must be taken to ensure that the balance of microorganisms in the septic tank is healthy.
Initial processing in an aerobic septic system is similar to a conventional system, with wastewater flowing into a tank that allows solids to settle to the bottom while liquid flows into a secondary tank. In this tank, fans keep the air moving so aerobic bacteria can thrive and process the wastewater, which flows through another pipe. In some regions, effluents must be sterilized with a chemical, such as bleach, before being released to kill microorganisms in the effluent.
Less space is needed with an aerobic septic system because the system processes wastewater very quickly thanks to microorganisms that do the work. However, operation and maintenance of the system can be expensive. Electricity is required to operate the air blowers and agitator in the tank, and care must be taken to ensure that the balance of microorganisms in the tank is healthy, meaning people need to be careful about what they put into the system. septic; if they use bleach regularly, for example, it can destabilize bacteria.
In some regions, people can only install an aerobic septic system if they are willing to enter into a maintenance contract with a certified company. This requirement is a result of public safety concerns, because if the aerobic septic system is not properly maintained, it can lead to the spread of disease from untreated sewage. Companies that install these systems are usually qualified to perform maintenance and may enter into a maintenance contract at the time of installation.
These systems are primarily designed for small-scale use, acting as a miniature water treatment plant for a single house, and are primarily used in rural areas. The resulting sterilized effluent can be used for gardening or landscaping, and should not be applied to food crops if any microorganisms have made it through the entire system.