Prescott's Microbiology
Prescott's Microbiology
10th Edition
ISBN: 9781259281594
Author: Joanne Willey, Linda Sherwood Adjunt Professor Lecturer, Christopher J. Woolverton Professor
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 43, Problem 1CHI

You wish to build a house in a rural community where you will need to install a septic system and drill a well for drinking water. Where will you site the well in relation to the septic system? Following the perc test, you discover that the town will allow you to build your house only if you install a sand filter in addition to your septic tank. Why do you think this might be the case?

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

Septic tank is most commonly used in the absence of a municipal sewage system. A conventional septic tank system functions as a simple anaerobic digester, with anaerobic liquefaction and digestion step. This is followed by organic matter adsorption and entrapment of microorganisms in the aerobic leach field, where biological oxidation occurs. Pathogenic microorganisms and dissolved organic matter are removed from the wastewater in home septic systems during subsurface passage through adsorption and trapping by fine sandy materials, clays, and organic matter.

Explanation of Solution

The well should not be in the drainage field of the septic system, because the chance of leaks from the septic system contaminating the well would be minimized. A sand filter was necessary because the soil in the leach field failed the percolation test, which indicates that the water would not be filtered appropriately by that soil and fecal contaminants would be spread. Prior to septic tank installation, a percolation test (or “perc test”) must be performed. Perc tests determine if the surrounding soil can absorb the liquid produced by the septic tank, thereby preventing it from contaminating the groundwater beneath.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
You have the intention to build a house in a rural community with limited facilities,hence you need to install a septic tank and drill a well for drinking water. Havingconsidered the location and proximity of both the septic tank and the drinking waterwell, explain the steps you may take to ensure that the drinking water will not becontaminated by leakages from the septic tank in accordance with governmentregulation.
Describe how drinking water is treated. How does a septic system work?
How does a septic system work?
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Basic Clinical Lab Competencies for Respiratory C...
Nursing
ISBN:9781285244662
Author:White
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Aquaculture Science
Biology
ISBN:9781133558347
Author:Parker
Publisher:Cengage
Photosynthesis & Respiration | Reactions | Chemistry | FuseSchool; Author: FuseSchool - Global Education;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XIyweZg6Sw;License: Standard YouTube License, CC-BY