Many people have at least a basic understanding of how residential septic systems function. Waste flows into the tank from you house. The solids settle in the tank and are broken down by bacteria over time. The liquid component is filtered via the septic drain field and released into the ground. Just as residential septic systems offer a septic solution for houses that are not located in areas that are close enough to use the municipal sewers, commercial septic systems must be used for commercial enterprises that are further away from any towns, or sometimes if their expected output of wastewater will be too great for the local municipal sewer system to handle. Commercial septic systems are highly regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and there are permits and requirements that must be met before you can begin a commercial septic project.
Here are some of the types of commercial buildings that often require commercial septic systems:
- Apartment complexes
- Retail stores
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Office buildings
- Laundromats
- Manufacturing facilities
Commercial septic systems often work very similarly to residential ones, just on a larger scale. You would expect an apartment building to create more wastewater than a single-family home, obviously. The higher the volume of wastewater, the larger the tank will need to be. There may need to be more regular maintenance for a commercial system. Restaurants and other types of commercial businesses may use more fats, oils and grease that clog up the system.
As a commercial building owner, there are steps you can take to protect your septic system. Monitor water usage and stay alert for problems like leaks. Also, choose more efficient toilets and faucets to reduce total water usage.