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Lateral Field
 The
lateral field is the final step in the wastewater treatment process.
The lateral field treats the wastewater by allowing it to trickle
down through the soil. As the wastewater percolates to the groundwater
below, the filtration process and organisms in the soil work together
to clean the effluent. The soil acts as a biological filter to remove,
bacteria, viruses and other pollutants from the septic tank effluent.
This process can effectively treat the wastewater to an acceptable
level that will not contaminate the groundwater.
The size of the lateral field is determined by the amount of water
that is anticipated to be discharged into the system on a daily
basis and by the site evaluation performed by a certified health
department inspector. There are many types of lateral fields from
conventional rock lateral lines to many modified and alternative
systems. The certified inspector will use all available resources
to recommend a lateral field that will best meet your family's needs
as well as the needs of the site.
Leaching Bed
 A
leaching bed system ,(gravity feed), is basically designed and functions
on the same treatment principle as a conventional rock lateral system.
They are used on level slopes with adequate soil depth above the
water table or other restrictive horizon. Heavy solids in the liquid
settle and greases float to the top of the septic tank. In addition,
bacteria break down some of the solids in the septic tank. The liquid
flows from the tank through closed pipe into perforated pipe in
the gravel filled trench bed where it seeps into the soil. As the
liquid slowly moves through the soil, bacteria and oxygen purify
it. Regular pumping of the septic tank, (every three to five years),
reduces the solids discharged into the trench and extends the life
of the system. Solids should be retained in the septic tank with
only liquid being disbursed from it.
In a conventional rock system, the trenches are 2 to 3 feet wide,
with one lateral line of perforated pipe in the center. The width
of a rock filled leaching bed can be of any width, but is generally
restricted to 12 feet in width and 100 feet in length, due to the
lot size and equipment restrictions. This system allows for more
water absorption area in the bottom of the trench area but less
on the side areas. The number of lateral lines required in a leaching
bed system will depend on the total width of the bed.
Restrictions / Requirements:
Limited to a minimum soil or restricted barrier depth of 18 inches.
Slopes of over 5 percent maybe unacceptable for beds. Size limitations
of the bed mainly due to equipment "reach" since all excavation
must be done from the sides of the bed to prevent bottom soil compaction.
Advantages:
This type of system uses less space than a conventional rock lateral
system, although additional bottom area must be used to compensate
for the reduction in the sidewall absorption area.
Other Topics:
Caring For Your
Septic System - Do's & Don'ts | Common
Onsite Regulations | Corrective
Action For A Failing Septic System | Curtain
Drain, Washer lines and Filters | Engineering
and Design for Difficult Sites | Fill
& Wait - Why? What? How? |
Improve Your System Practice Water Conservation | Potential
Property Owners Reference | Septic
Systems - How do they work? | Ten
Most Asked Questions About Septic Systems | Why
Systems Fail | Sewage
Protection Program
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2221 North Highway 53 