Most acreage owners around Onoway never think about the bugs doing the work in their tank, and that's fine until something stops draining right. There are two broad camps of bacteria that handle wastewater, and the one your system relies on changes how it behaves and how you look after it. Here is the plain version, without the science-fair theatrics.
The short version of who does what
Bacteria break down the solids in wastewater. Some of them need oxygen to do their job, and some of them work without it.
- Anaerobic bacteria work in a sealed, oxygen-free environment. That's what's living in a standard buried septic tank. They are slower, they don't need power, and they're well suited to a rural property where you want something that runs on its own.
- Aerobic bacteria need a steady supply of air. An aerobic treatment unit pushes air through the tank to keep them fed, which means a small pump and some electricity. They tend to work faster and the liquid that comes out is cleaner.
Neither one is "better." They are built for different setups. A buried tank on an acreage almost always runs on anaerobic bacteria. An aerobic unit is a different piece of equipment that does more of the treatment inside the tank itself.
Why anaerobic suits most rural tanks
Out here, simple and low-maintenance usually wins. An anaerobic tank has no moving parts to fail and nothing that quits when the power goes out during a January storm. The trade-off is that the liquid leaving the tank still needs a field or a mound to finish the job in the soil. The bacteria in the tank knock down the solids, the soil handles the rest.
That slower pace is also why solids keep building up no matter how well the system is running. Anaerobic bacteria never break down everything. Sludge collects on the bottom and scum collects on top, and eventually that's what a pump-out clears.
Where aerobic systems come in
Some properties run an aerobic treatment unit, often because of tighter soil conditions or a smaller lot where a full field isn't practical. The air pump keeps oxygen-loving bacteria active, and they treat the wastewater more thoroughly before it ever leaves the tank. The upside is cleaner output. The downsides are the electricity it draws and the fact that there's now a mechanical part that needs to keep running.
If you don't know which type you have, that's worth sorting out before you need a service call. It changes the maintenance schedule and what can go wrong.
What this means for keeping your system healthy
Whichever bacteria are doing your work, you can knock them back without meaning to. Pouring bleach, drain cleaner, or paint down the drain in volume kills off the bugs you depend on. Go easy on the harsh stuff, spread your water use across the week instead of dumping it all on laundry day, and keep wipes and grease out of the system entirely. Healthy bacteria are the cheapest part of your whole setup. Keep them alive.
And regardless of bacteria type, the solids still have to come out eventually. A tank that never gets pumped will back up, and a neglected one can foul the field, which is the expensive part to fix.
Get your septic looked after locally
Standstone has pumped, cleaned, thawed, and serviced septic and holding tanks across Lac Ste. Anne, Parkland, Sturgeon, Barrhead, and Leduc counties since 1991, working out of Onoway. If you're not sure what kind of system you've got or it's been a while since the last service, tell us what's going on and the office will confirm the service, timing, and pricing before anything gets booked.
Ready to get your tank looked after? Request a quote or learn about our septic services, or call the office at 780-967-2118. Call the office to confirm availability and timing.