human
I've been hearing a lot about septic tanks and septic systems. What are they and how do they work?
assistant
A septic tank is a large underground container that collects waste from the home's plumbing system. The septic tank contains bacteria that break down the waste into liquid and solid material, which then passes through a pipe to an area called the drain field. This area consists of a series of trenches filled with gravel or sand that allow the water to pass through and eventually be absorbed into the ground.