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Resource Center: What is a Mound Septic System?

Many homeowners know what a septic system is, but many are unfamiliar with the term mound septic system. In an effort to keep our customers throughout the Northern Virginia area informed, we put together this basic information sheet on mound septic systems.

A mound septic system is used for aberrant soil conditions, or those soil conditions that do not fall within "normal" or "typical" conditions. In order for waste water to be treated fully, it must pass through three feet of dry soil. If the water table on your Northern Virginia property is high, you may have to add soil or sand to get to the three-foot separation mark. When the drainfield is built on top of the soil, it leads to a mound - lending to the term mound septic system.

A mound septic tank uses two tanks, one for the settling of solids and another with a pump housed in it remove excess water from the tank and into the filtration system - otherwise known as the soil and drainfield.

A mound septic system is also the perfect solution for homes with rocky soil rather than a sand-based soil, because the waste water will run through the soil (rocks). The addition of extra sand or soil on top of the rocky base allows for the treatment of the waste water before it enters the ground and eventually the water supply.

On the other hand of the equation, if the soil around your Northern Virginia home is too dense, a mound septic tank is a good option as well. When the waste water flows too slowly through the soil, the mound septic system can be used to eliminate these issues. Rather than letting the waste water return to the atmosphere through evaporation, the mound will effectively filter the waste water.

For more information on establishing the right septic system for your Warrenton, VA home, contact the septic system experts at SES today.