Akvopedia-spade, administrator
3,247
edits
Changes
no edit summary
The design of a Septic Tank depends on the number of users, the amount of water used per capita, the average annual temperature, the pumping frequency and the characteristics of the wastewater. The retention time should be designed for 48 hours to achieve moderate treatment.
===Aqua privy== [[Image:Aqua_privyss.PNG|thumb|right|150px|[[Aqua privy |Aqua privy]]]] A variation of the Septic Tank is called an aquaprivyaqua privy, which is a simple storage and settling tank located directly below the toilet, so that the excreta fall into the tank. A housing or shed is built over the tank. A vent pipe with a fly screen at the top end is attached to the housing. To prevent odours from surfacing, a waterseal water seal must be maintained but it 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]].
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==This [http://www.lifewater.org/resources/san1/san1d4.pdf document] lists the specifications that need to be met for a succesful Aqua Privy.
==References==
