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[[Image:Icon_septic_tank.png |right|95px]]
'''A Septic Tank is a watertight chamber made of concrete, fibreglass, PVC or plastic, for the storage and treatment of blackwater and greywater. Settling and anaerobic processes reduce solids and organics, but the treatment is only moderate.'''
To prevent odours from surfacing, a water seal must be maintained by adding sufficient water per toilet visit to the tank via the drop-pipe to replace any losses. However, this may not completely prevent smells and the tank must be frequently desludged. The effluent must be dispersed by using a [[Soak Pit]] or [[Leach Field]] or by transporting the effluent to another treatment technology via a [[Simplified Sewers]] or [[Solids-free Sewer|Solids-Free]].
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Septic Tanks should be checked to ensure that they are watertight and the levels of the scum and sludge should be monitored to ensure that the tank is functioning well. Because of the delicate ecology, care should be taken not to discharge harsh chemicals into the Septic Tank. The sludge should be removed annually using a vacuum truck to ensure proper functioning of the Septic Tank.
==Manuals, videos, and links==
This [http://www.lifewater.org/resources/san1/san1d4.pdf document] lists the specifications that need to be met for a succesful Aqua Privy.
==Acknowledgements=={{:Acknowledgements Sanitation}} ==References and external links==
Detailed Design Information:
*Mara, DD. (1996). [http://books.google.com/books/about/Low_cost_urban_sanitation.html?id=WOgeAQAAIAAJ Low-Cost Urban Sanitation]. Wiley, Chichester, UK. (Sizing, volume and emptying calculations and example design solutions, Chapter 6.)
* Polprasert, C. and Rajput, VS. (1982). [http://docs.watsan.net/Scanned_PDF_Files/Class_Code_3_Sanitation/323.2-82SE-884.pdf Environmental Sanitation Reviews: Septic Tank and Septic Systems]. Environmental Sanitation Information Center, Bangkok, AIT, Thailand. pp 68–74. (Comprehensive design manual).
* Sasse, L. (1998). DEWATS. [http://www.indiawaterportal.org/sites/indiawaterportal.org/files/Decentralised_%20wastewater_%20treatment_%20in_%20developing_%20countries_A_%20handbook_%20by_%20BORDA_1998.pdf Decentralised Wastewater Treatment in Developing Countries]. BORDA, Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association, Bremen, Germany. (Excel® Spreadsheet codes for sizing septic tanks.)
General Information:
* Crites, R. and Tchobanoglous, G. (1998). [http://books.google.com/books/about/Small_and_decentralized_wastewater_manag.html?id=yx9SAAAAMAAJ Small and Decentralized Wastewater Management Systems]. WCB and McGraw-Hill, New York, USA. ==Acknowledgements=={{:Acknowledgements Sanitation}}