Alternatives to a Septic Tank

From key trends to fundamental details, understand everything about Alternatives to a Septic Tank in our latest feature.

A leach field operates similar to a leaching system connected to a septic tank without a tank. The effluent flows from the house to perforated pipes within a layer of gravel-filled trenches. The effluent seeps into the gravel from the perforated pipes and then the soil. Less space than traditional septic systems is needed. Leach field beds can be layered. There are size limitations to beds because excavation must be handled from the sides to prevent compaction of the bed bottom. Slopes steeper than 5 percent aren't adaptable to leach fields. Minimum soil depths of 18 inches are needed below the bed.