Treating organic waste from households and other inhabited spaces is important for many reasons. For one thing, it is essential for good health, and there is also the negative impact on the environment which poor treatment solutions could have. Inefficient waste treatment also incurs higher financial costs.
Conventionally, septic tanks are used for treating organic waste. But they have many drawbacks. Bio septic tanks are a relatively newer innovation which are finding widespread use. But are these tanks good for you? To find the answer, let’s begin by looking at what they actually are.
What is a bio septic tank?
A bio septic tank is a sealed chamber where organic waste is broken down by bacteria through a process called anaerobic digestion, that happens in the absence of oxygen. Different chemical reactions occur within the tank, as a result of which water, carbon dioxide and methane are produced. The resultant water can be reused for different purposes.
In some conventional septic tanks too, biogas and reusable water are produced. But this is made possible using an artificial method whereas in the bio septic tank, a biologically degradable ‘tablet’ is put into the tank to initiate the process.
To fully understand why bio septic tanks are better than conventional variants, you need to understand the key differences between the two.
How do they compare with conventional septic tanks?
Conventional septic tanks are typically used to store organic waste without the option to recycle or produce useful biogas out of the waste. Also, the resultant sludge would require to be removed periodically, causing overheads. This is not a hygienic solution as the treated waste could attract insects and disease carrying organisms if the tank is left un-emptied for long.
Also, this type of waste treatment harms the environment in the long run. The tanks also need continual maintenance, which incurs costs. .
Recycling waste:
A bio septic tank offers a great alternative in this context. For not only can they collect waste, but also recycle it so that you could use the output in the form of water and gas for irrigation and other purposes.
Odourless & eco-friendly:
The tank remains virtually odourless, so you don’t have to contend with foul smell. The process is completely natural, and so doesn’t harm the environment either.Also, using this, you produce carbon-neutral energy- a key advantage in a world where climate change driven by carbon emissions is wreaking havoc.
Cost-efficient:
There is a significant cost-advantage with using a bio septic tank as well. Compared to conventional septic tanks, the level of maintenance it requires is minimal, which helps you save on costs. The biogas that you generate from bio septic tanks is useful for cooking, which in turn helps you cut down on fuel costs.
Sustainable:
Conventional septic tanks are usually made of materials including steel, concrete and plastic. Bio septic tanks are considerably more sustainable since they are constructed using reinforced concrete. This makes it largely fire-resistant.
The bottom-line is that a bio septic tank helps recycle waste for further uses, costs less to maintain and is eco-friendly. All these factors make it a great option for treating organic waste.
Bio septic tank- the functioning
Let us now look at how exactly a bio septic tank functions to bring you all the above-mentioned benefits.
The basic functioning of the tank includes feeding wastewater into it and the bacteria interacting with the biomass, producing treated water and biogas. Based on the model of the bio septic tank, it would have multiple chambers. Throughout the treatment process, the wastewater would flow across the different chambers.
Once the anaerobic digestion takes place, the water enters an aeration tank where the aerobic bacteria breeds. This is where the waste is changed into methane, carbon dioxide and water. In the process, the bacteria emits oxygen, which negates any foul odour. The resultant water can be used for various purposes including irrigation.
Bio septic tanks are way better for organic waste management than conventional septic tanks. Upgrade to a bio septic tank and start enjoying the many benefits that it brings.