Households produce a variety of wastewater from multiple sources, this includes your sinks, toilets, laundry and bathtubs. A septic tank is designed to separate the solids from this wastewater; the solids then sink to the bottom and what is left is known as effluent. Helpful bacteria work to digest the organic matter present in the wastewater. The next step takes part in the second part of the septic system: the drain field. After being treated by the septic tank bacteria is discharged into the drain field: an excavation in unsaturated soil made to help filter the wastewater more efficiently. The porous soil helps to treat and disperse the wastewater further while bacteria present in the ground helps digest the rest of the organic matter. Finally, the filtered product reenters the groundwater supply, recycled and filtered for new use! It is important to ensure you are working with a reputable company when it comes to septic tank installations; septic tanks are responsible for the filtering of wastewater and improper filtration is a danger to public and environmental health.