A leach drain helps to distribute treated wastewater from your septic tank. Once your septic tank has performed the initial stages of treatment by digesting waste and settling solids, the leach drain disperses treated effluent into the ground. This helps to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination and also brings oxygen into the soil. To ensure a smooth running system, it’s important to regularly maintain your leach drain with products such as EcoCare Activator.
Components of a leach drain
A leach drain is a subsurface pipe that is connected to your septic tank and typically runs from the inlet of the septic tank, across undisturbed soil or gravel. It can be laid on a gentle downwards slope with a minimum fall of 100mm every three metres.
Leach drains are usually made from plastic or concrete, although some householders prefer to install their own leach drain using gravel and pipes.
How does a leach drain work?
A leach drain functions by distributing treated wastewater for further treatment in the ground. The main section of a leach drain consists of a pipe with holes which is surrounded by gravel. The gravel helps to disperse the effluent and prevent blockages.
Once the water from the septic tank has passed through the pipe and the gravel it enters the soil. As the water passes through the soil, excess minerals and particles are filtered. The movement of water through the soil also provides oxygen which helps to support beneficial soil microbes. These soil microbes then help to further treat the wastewater by digesting minerals and any waste particles.
Why are leach drains important?
Leach drains help your septic system function more efficiently by distributing treated wastewater across the soil surface for further treatment in the ground. The movement of water through the soil also provides oxygen which helps to support beneficial soil microbes, reducing odors and maintaining aerobic conditions within the septic tank and drainfield.
How to maintain your leach drain
Switching to septic safe cleaning products will help the bacteria in your septic system, leach drain and surrounding soil carry on doing their job of treating waste. Additionally, using a biological stimulant based wastewater additive will maintain the optimal biological conditions within your system and keep your bacteria healthy.