The Difference Between a Septic System and a Cesspool

Septic systems and cesspools are often misunderstood. Some people even use the terms interchangeably but they are significantly different in how they work to diffuse household waste.

So, here’s a simple explanation of the difference between septic systems and cesspools. We stuck with a simple anaerobic system for the purpose of simplicity.

Septic System

• A septic system is kind of like a mini waste treatment plant buried in your backyard.
• First, all the waste from your house goes into a big tank (called a septic tank). In this tank, solid stuff settles to the bottom, and liquid stays on top.
• Tiny helpful bacteria (think of them as tiny waste-eating critters) munch on the solid waste, breaking it down.
• The liquid then flows out of the tank into an area called the “drain field” — a system of pipes with perforations to drain the fluid– where it gets further cleaned by the soil. Basically, the ground acts like a big filter!
• Over time, the solid stuff in the tank builds up, so you need to get it pumped out every few years to keep things working smoothly.

Cesspool

• A cesspool is way simpler than a septic system. Think of it as a big hole or pit in the ground, lined with stones or concrete.
• All the waste from your house goes straight into this hole.
• Just like with the septic system, the ground around the cesspool helps filter and clean the liquid part. But there’s no separate tank to hold and break down the solid waste. There’s also no drain field to diffuse the effluent. The water/effluent filters directly into the solid from the cesspool.
• Because there’s no special place for the solid waste to get broken down, cesspools can fill up faster and might be less efficient than septic systems.

Summary of The Differences

• A septic system is like a two-step process: a tank where solid waste breaks down, then a drain field where liquid gets filtered.
• A cesspool is more straightforward: it’s a big hole where everything goes, and the ground around it does the filtering.

Today, many places prefer septic systems because they’re seen as more efficient and environmentally friendly than cesspools. But both have been used for ages to manage waste from our homes!

Accelerator by Dr. Pooper® Drain Field Cleaner cleans the organic solids in septic tanks, drain fields, and cesspools.