What is the purpose of a septic drain field?

The purpose of a septic drain field is to treat effluent before it enters the groundwater. After wastewater from a home flows into the septic tank, it undergoes initial treatment, where solids settle to the bottom and scum floats to the top. The liquid effluent that separates in the middle is then channeled to the drain field.

In the drain field, this effluent undergoes further treatment through a process called soil filtration. The soil acts as a natural filter, removing harmful pathogens and nutrients from the wastewater as it percolates through the soil layers. This crucial process protects the groundwater from contamination and helps maintain a healthy environment.

The other options do not accurately represent the function of a drain field. The drain field is not designed to collect all waste materials or house the septic tank, nor does it serve as a storage facility for sludge. Its primary role is focused on the treatment and safe dispersal of wastewater effluent into the surrounding soil.