Septic Tank Size Calculations, Tables, Codes
Septic Tank Size Calculations, Tables, Codes
Septic Tank Size Calculations, Tables, Codes
Here we also discuss the smallest recommended septic tank sizes based on building
occupancy or wastewater volume. One should also ask, how does weather affect the
necessary septic tank size?
Table of Required Septic Tank Size Based on Daily Waste-Water Volume in Gallons
0-500 900
601-700 1200
801-900 1500
1001-1240 1900
2001-2500 3200
4501-5000 5800
WATER USAGE TABLE provides companion data if you don't already know your
daily wastewater volume
This table is for sizing residential septic tanks.
How big does our septic tank need to be based on the number of bedrooms in the
home? Some jurisdictions use the number of bedrooms rather than number of
occupants or estimated daily wastewater flow to guide homeowners and septic
installers in choosing a septic tank size.
In some states (Connecticut since January 1991) septic tanks now consist of two
compartments in order to do a more effective job, and increasingly other
jurisdictions (Alaska, Pennsylvania) require that new and up-graded onsite
wastewater disposal systems use two-compartment septic tanks.
Image adapted from Alaska DEC [3] The dashed lines illustrate the liquid level (red)
and the difference in elevation (green) between the inlet and outlet septic tank pipe
connections.
More about these measurements is at SEPTIC TANK TEES where we discuss repair
procedures and backwards septic tanks.
In a two compartment septic tank the wall separating the two compartments will
have an opening that allows liquid effluent to flow into the second compartment,
keeping floating scum and settled sludge in the first compartment (mostly).
The septic entire tank, both compartments, will need to become filled with
wastewater before any effluent will begin to flow out of the septic tank and into the
drain field or soak away bed. That happens naturally during normal building
plumbing system usage over the course of several days for typical septic tank sizes.
So when you observed about two feet of waste in the septic tank, then left the
system unused, you'd expect to find exactly the same amount in the tank weeks
later. Only a very slight drop in level might occur, less than an inch - caused by
evaporation - because you left the tank open (and dangerous).
How do we compute the volume in gallons that a septic tank provides based on
simple measurements we can make?
Septic Tanks are usually about 4.5 feet wide x 8.0 feet long x 6 feet tall. Tanks are
typically buried 4 inches to 4 feet deep depending on local site conditions, shape,
slope, and other factors.
Here is the basic math for computing septic tank capacity (volume) in gallons.
Measurements are in feet, taken of inside dimensions of the septic tank.
How to Calculate the Septic Tank Capacity in Gallons
One gallon of water has a volume of .1337 cubic feet. For a rectangular septic tank,
multiply depth (or inside "height") in feet times width times length. Divide this figure
by .1337 to establish the number of gallons in the septic tank.
Example 1: how many gallons is held in a a 4ft. deep x 5ft. wide x 8 ft. long septic
tank? If the tank dimensions were 4ft. x 5ft. x 8ft. = 160 cubic feet. Using the
conversion factor to convert cubic feet to gallons, 160 / .1337 = 1196 - or about a
1200-gallon tank.
One cubic foot of volume can contain 7.481 gallons of liquid. So a second approach
to calculating septic tank actual size or capacity in gallons is to multiply the septic
tank volume in cubic feet by this constant, which we round up to 7.5 gallons/cubic
foot.
Example 2: how many cubic feet and how many gallons are held in a septic tank of
typical dimensions of 4.5 ft. wide x 8.0 ft. long x 6 ft. high. (4.5 x 8 x 6) = 216 cubic
feet. Since one cubic foot can contain 7.481 gallons, which we round up to 7.5
gallons per cubic foot: 216 x 7.5 = 1620 gallons of septic tank capacity - this is
probably nominally a "1500-gallon septic tank".
Note that if the dimensions given by your septic contractor are the external
dimensions of the tank rather than the internal dimensions then the volume given by
this calculation will come up with a septic tank size estimate that is higher than the
actual tank capacity - the error is due to failure to allow for the thickness of the
septic tank walls.
So for fitting a septic tank into a tight spot, the outer dimensions of the septic tank
are important. But for accurate calculation of the capacity of a septic tank you need
to use the septic tank internal dimensions.
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