The History Behind Septic Tanks

Have you ever wondered where septic tanks came from? If you have such a system, you have to get septic tank pumping in Napa, CA done every so often so that brings the system to your mind. If you’ve ever had trouble with your tank, you think about it a lot more often then as well. It’s interesting to figure out what’s behind it all.

Many early civilizations settled near rivers so they could have fresh water and get rid of waste. They would dump downstream and that was the way humans thrived for thousands of years with wastewater. After technology took people inland because water could easily be carried that direction, communities started to pop up farther away from water sources and new ways to deal with wastewater had to be developed. The Ancient Greeks were the first to create technology that allows people to travel inland, farther from water sources. They came up with underground pipes, and even flushing toilets. Romans used these inventions and then improved them for larger cities. Once the Roman Empire fell, people went back to a rural lifestyle that was more self-sustaining. Outhouses were the standard method for human waste, and they included deep holes dug into the ground.

The septic system came along in 1860 when a Frenchman was tired of going out into the cold weather and across the snow when he needed to use the facilities. He combined the concept of the Ancient Greek flushing toilet along with clay pipes that took the wastewater out of the house into a cesspool that collected the waste and then was emptied on occasion manually. He added a tank to the pit that allowed overflow into the cesspool so it would not fill up as fast. Once ten years passed and the tank had no issues, the inventor opened it up to see what was inside and the tank was nearly empty. A prototype was developed, and the design made its way across the country and into the US where it became prevalent.

Modern systems feature more advanced materials than the concrete and steel from the originals. Today, people use fiberglass, precast concrete, and other plastics. The systems are also more efficient for the environment, but now, consumers know these systems have to have regular maintenance to work properly for a long period of time.

If you are in need of septic tank pumping in Napa, CA, contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc for details on how often this task should be done on the type of tank you have. It often depends on what you have, how many people are in your house, and how much the tank is used. We can help you figure all that out. Call us at (707) 554-8258 and we can schedule your septic tank for a checkup soon. You can also come in and ask questions about tank maintenance at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559. If you need repairs, we can help with that as well. Visit our website for more details at https://www.american-sanitation.com/