More on Septic Tank and Septic System Fees and Taxes
Why do owners of a septic tank or a septic system have to pay taxes or fees? They receive almost no services in return, a fact that has to drive these owners crazy.
Why do owners of a septic tank or a septic system have to pay taxes or fees? They receive almost no services in return, a fact that has to drive these owners crazy.
Government mandated fees and taxes on septic tanks and septic systems have been a fact of life in some parts of the country for years. These fees and taxes are increasing, however, and many more local governments are contemplating levying them on their constituents that use septic tanks and septic systems. Are they really necessary?
Wow! You’re leaving your small apartment for a home in the suburbs. You are a new member of the community of 1/4 of all American homeowners who privately treat their wastewater. In other words, you not only own a home, you also own a septic tank and a septic system.
In April of 2011, there was a news story posted on the Johnson County Sun News website about aging septic tanks and septic systems in a suburb of Kansas City that are failing. The solution being recommended by the local regulators is to have the home owners link up to the municipal wastewater treatment system – an expensive option.
You can avoid septic tank problems by ensuring your tank is made from the right material. The majority of septic tanks are constructed out of concrete, fiberglass, polyethylene or coated steel. Typically, septic tanks with a capacity smaller than 6,000 gallons are pre-manufactured. Larger septic tanks are constructed in place or assembled on-site from pre-manufactured sections.
One sure way to avoid septic tank problems is to make sure the septic tank is the right size for the system. In general, the tank is sized based on both expected and maximum usage and how to achieve an appropriate wastewater retention time.
It is not surprising to discover that regulations governing septic systems exist almost everywhere in North America. What is surprising is to find out to what degree the level of regulation varies depending on location.
In the previous blog, I discussed the building sewer, which is essentially the piping that carries waste from a building to a waste treatment system. Picking up where the building sewer terminates, we will discuss in more detail the next component: the septic tank.
Typically, construction of a new septic tank system starts at the house by installing a building sewer, then installing a septic tank and, finally, installing whatever wastewater distribution component (i.e. drain field) is necessary for the local codes, site and soil conditions.
We talk a lot about aerobic bacteria on this website and how much better they are than anaerobic bacteria for resolving septic tank problems. The reason lies in the aerobic bacteria’s faster metabolism and respiration rates.