What is NOT a characteristic of septic tanks?

Septic tanks are essential components of onsite wastewater management systems. They are designed to handle sewage from homes and businesses, efficiently separating solids from liquids and allowing for the treatment and disposal of wastewater in a manner that minimizes environmental impact.

One of the fundamental characteristics of septic tanks is that they are water-tight. This is crucial to prevent the infiltration of groundwater into the tank and to stop effluent from leaking into the surrounding soil, which could lead to contamination.

Septic tanks also play a key role in separating solids from liquids. The design includes a settling chamber where heavier solids sink to the bottom, forming a sludge layer, while lighter materials, such as fats and oils, float to the top, forming a scum layer. The liquid in the middle is what gets passed on to the drain field for further treatment.

Additionally, septic tanks do store digested solids for a period. As anaerobic bacteria break down the waste within the tank, solids are transformed into liquid and gases. However, this process is not complete, and over time, the tank will accumulate solids that need to be pumped out periodically to ensure the system functions correctly.

Chlorine treatment, on the other hand, is not a characteristic of standard septic tanks. While some advanced treatment systems