July 24, 2021
Wastewater
How Septic Tank Cleaners Pose Significant Threat to Water Quality
Septic tank systems play an important role in managing the household waste generated every day.
It is one of the most common forms of treatment systems due to easy installation, low costs, and performance.
Also, it is widely used in urban and rural areas because sewerage systems are not practical and very expensive.
However, the performance of a septic system can be affected due to the extensive use of septic tank cleaners and other chemicals.
And experts suggest that septic tank failure often leads to reduced effluent quality, posing a significant threat to water quality.
Septic Tank System
A typical septic tank system is made up of components like a tank, pipes, and the drain field.
Located beneath the ground, a septic tank consists of millions of beneficial tiny living microorganisms, which perform the function of breaking down the organic waste received from households through pipes.
The decomposed solids settle at the bottom, forming sludge, whereas grease, oil, and fat form a scum layer floating to the surface.
The clarified water between the sludge and scum layer, known as effluent, flows through perforated pipes and enters the drain field.
The biological processes remove any contaminants left before they reach water bodies.
In an ideal situation, everything works perfectly with no threat to water quality. However, chemicals are known to affect the performance of microbes, which leads to septic tank failure and reduced effluent quality.
Septic Tank Cleaners
Septic tank cleaners are used as a preventive maintenance measure as well as to solve septic system problems.
But the recent studies have shown that septic tank cleaners are a potential cause of groundwater pollution.
The unregulated septic tank cleaner contains acids and bases that can cause sludge build-up and affect the performance of helpful microbes.
It contains compounds such as Methylene Chloride, Trichloroethane and Trichloroethylene, when present in substantial quantity, are known to cause pollution.
Moreover, it can damage the soil structure where the effluent is released.
Chemical Cleaning Products
In addition to septic tank cleaners, common household cleaning products can adversely impact septic tank performance by eliminating the bacterial population.
Some of them include:
- Bleach – Chlorine bleach is known for its antibacterial properties. Thus, extensive use of it may destroy aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in the septic system and drain field, respectively.
- Soaps and Detergents – As you can understand by now, anything anti-bacterial will impact the septic tank system negatively. Thus, continuous use of antibacterial soaps can cause problems. Also, powdered detergents may contain ingredients like phosphates and surfactants that can lead to contamination of the environment.
- Toilet & Drain Cleaners – Toilet and drain cleaners used in the bathroom are one of the major causes of septic tank malfunction. The chemical-laced products are flushed down the drain and reach the septic tank system.
It is important to note that these chemicals may not cause damage single-handedly, all at once. But over time, chemicals may accumulate and disrupt the ideal conditions for biological activity to take place.
Septic Tank Failure & Consequences
A malfunctioning septic tank is unable to treat the liquid waste effluent effectively and properly.
Thus, this effluent containing pollutants such as phosphorus and nitrogen and pathogens like bacteria, protozoa, and viruses may reach groundwater or nearby water sources.
This polluted water, if consumed, can lead to gastrointestinal diseases, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis, etc.
As you can see, septic tank cleaners indirectly pose a significant threat to water quality, and avoiding them is necessary.
Instead, there are environment-friendly and organic septic tank cleaners that can be used to boost the performance of septic tank systems and protect water quality.
Organica Biotech is one of the leading companies developing advanced, eco-friendly solutions for septic tank systems, sanitation, and household cleaning.
Bioclean Septic is one such product that consists of enzyme-producing bacteria capable of degrading faecal matter efficiently in a septic tank.
It minimizes sludge-build, prevents propagation of disease-causing germs, and can handle heavy loads.
For more details regarding Bioclean Septic and the wide range of solutions available, contact us at any time.
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