Sewage Pipe Junction

The Great Septic Debate

In the U.S., there are an estimated 25 percent of households that are dependent upon a septic system. While the prevalence of septic systems is slowly becoming less and less popular due to increased sewer infrastructure, the septic system is still a great option for many. When B&B Pumping was established in 2005, we already had 47 years of experience under our belts. In 1958, when the first tank was pumped by our trucks, just about 50 percent of the country was dependent on septic for wastewater disposal. In fact, about 25 percent of Americans had no flushing toilet at all! Times have certainly changed in the septic world but one thing remains constant, and that is B&B Pumping’s commitment to superior customer service and providing our customers with the finest result imaginable.

Septic Vs. Sewer

When building a home you may have a choice as to whether you are hooked up to municipal sewer lines or a septic system. There are advantages to both but like anything else, there are also disadvantages. The choice is sometimes one or the other, as some municipalities require you to hook up to the existing sewer system, whereas in some areas, sewer is not available. For those trying to leave a more ecologically friendly choice, a septic system is by far the most self sustaining system, the sewer system is far less maintenance.

Ancient Aqueducts

The Sewer System

Your run of the mill sewer system, depending on where you live is a series underground pipes that carry waste to central treatment facilities where the solids are removed and the water is treated. Sewers are the standard in large cities where there simply is not enough room for a full septic system. Early sewers were basically troughs that allowed water to wash away the waste to areas away from human activity. The Romans designed and built the aqueducts that still stand today as an early plumbing and sewer system. These systems were extremely well thought out and pave the way for modern sewer systems. Many of the Romans had indoor plumbing and access to running water, which for the time was pretty incredible. Through the ages sewer systems were refined and eventually evolved into what we have today, a reliable system that lowers the risk of illness. In the past, a large part of public health was the fact that many people were using contaminated water and our current sewer system has virtually eliminated the threat of getting ill.

Septic Tank Pumping in Process

The Septic System

By contrast, a septic system is a self contained cycle that utilizes naturally occurring bacteria to break down the waste. When a sewer transports contaminated water from your home it moves through a network of pipes to a treatment facility. At this treatment facility the solid waste is separated from the liquid and released back into the system. In a septic system the treatment facility is the septic tank itself. The wastewater is introduced to the tank through the drains in the home and through the natural settling and bacterial process, the solid waste is separated but remains in the tank.

Keep Your Septic Tank Trouble Free

Which is Better?

The age old question when weighing the differences between septic systems and municipal sewer, which is better? Well that totally depends on where you are located, a septic system requires maintenance and you must be mindful of what you put down your drains. Where a sewer system is inundated daily with all sorts of things that should not be flushed down the toilet. If you are connected to a sewer, you will pay for all of those things that should not be flushed down the toilet through a monthly sewer charge. When you rely on a septic system, the only cost associated with operation is every two to four years when you should get it pumped. Of course the length of time between pumpings depends entirely upon the usage your system receives. So either way you look at it there is a cost involved but compared to sewer charges every month, the cost of an occasional pumping is negligible.

When it is time to have your septic system pumped please give B&B Pumping a call to ensure a job well done. We will leave your system ready to perform at its peak. We proudly serves folks throughout Fort Worth, Decatur, Azle, Haslet, and Weatherford — reach out to us if you’d like to learn more, or if it’s time to schedule pumping services.