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Glossary G

Garbage disposals

A device installed in a kitchen sink that grinds food waste into small particles to be flushed down the drain.

  1. Can You Have A Garbage Disposal With A Septic Tank?
  2. Are Septic Tanks Bad?
  3. Can You Drive Over A Septic Tank?
  4. Step 1: Understanding the Basics
  5. What To Put In Septic Tank To Break Down Solids?
  6. Where Is My Septic Tank?
  7. Can I Shower If My Septic Tank Is Full?
  8. Septic Tanks vs Greywater Systems (Understanding Differences)
  9. What Happens When Septic Tank Is Full?

Gravel

Small stones used as a base layer in septic tank systems to aid in drainage and filtration.

  1. Septic Tanks vs French Drains: What’s the Connection? (Basics)
  2. Septic Tanks vs Septic Dosing Systems: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  3. Septic Tanks vs Evapotranspiration Systems: Key Differences (Guide)
  4. Septic Tanks vs Mound Systems: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  5. Can You Have A Septic Tank Without A Leach Field?
  6. Septic Tanks vs Privies: What’s the Connection? (Basics)
  7. Septic Tanks vs Pressure Distribution Systems: Key Differences (Guide)
  8. Septic Tanks vs Leach Fields: Understanding the Connection (Basics)
  9. Septic Tanks vs Subsurface Wetlands: What’s Better? (Basics)
  10. Septic Tanks vs Drain Fields: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  11. How To Build A Septic Tank?
  12. How Long Does It Take To Replace A Septic Tank?
  13. Septic Tanks vs Dry Wells: Know the Difference (Guide)
  14. Septic Tanks vs Soakaways: Understanding the Differences (Basics)
  15. Step 1: Understand the Basics
  16. Septic Tanks vs Municipal Sewage: Key Differences (Guide)
  17. Septic Tanks vs Onsite Wastewater Treatment: Clearing Confusion (Guide)
  18. Septic Tanks vs Sand Mounds: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  19. How Do Septic Tanks Work?
  20. Overview

Gravel bed

A layer of gravel beneath the septic tank that provides additional drainage and support.

  1. Septic Tanks vs Evapotranspiration Systems: Key Differences (Guide)
  2. Septic Tanks vs Drain Fields: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  3. Septic Tanks vs French Drains: What’s the Connection? (Basics)
  4. Septic Tanks vs Mound Systems: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)

Gravel bed preparation

  1. Septic Tanks vs Pressure Distribution Systems: Key Differences (Guide)

Gravelless systems

  1. Septic Tanks vs Pressure Distribution Systems: Key Differences (Guide)
  2. Septic Tanks vs Septic Dosing Systems: Understanding Differences (Basics)

Gravity distribution

A method of distributing effluent from the septic tank to the leach field using gravity.

  1. Step 1: Understand the Basics

Gravity-fed septic system

  1. Septic Tanks vs Septic Dosing Systems: Understanding Differences (Basics)

Gravity-fed systems

  1. Septic Tanks vs Drain Fields: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  2. How Far Is The Leach Field From The Septic Tank?
  3. What Does A Septic Tank Look Like?

Gravity flow

  1. Septic Tanks vs Septic Dosing Systems: Understanding Differences (Basics)

Gravity system

  1. Gravity vs Pump Septic Systems: What’s Better? (Basics)
  2. Septic Tanks vs Pressure Distribution Systems: Key Differences (Guide)

Graywater disposal system

A system that collects and treats wastewater from sources such as sinks, showers, and washing machines for reuse or safe disposal.

  1. Septic Tanks vs Evapotranspiration Systems: Key Differences (Guide)

Grease

A thick, oily substance that accumulates in septic tanks and can cause blockages and other problems.

  1. What To Put In Septic Tank To Break Down Solids?
  2. Can You Have A Garbage Disposal With A Septic Tank?
  3. Are Septic Tanks Bad?
  4. Does Every House Have A Septic Tank?
  5. Gravity vs Pump Septic Systems: What’s Better? (Basics)
  6. How Deep Is A Septic Tank?
  7. How To Check Septic Tank Is Full?
  8. What Happens When Septic Tank Is Full?
  9. Step 1: Understanding the Basics
  10. What Does A Septic Tank Look Like?
  11. Can You Have A Septic Tank Without A Leach Field?
  12. How To Clean Septic Tank?
  13. How Do Septic Tanks Work?
  14. How To Build A Septic Tank?
  15. Step 1: Understand the Basics
  16. Septic Tanks vs Lagoons: What’s Better? (Guide)
  17. Septic Tanks vs Onsite Wastewater Treatment: Clearing Confusion (Guide)
  18. Septic Tanks vs Sewer Systems: Clearing Confusion (Basics)
  19. What Does A Full Septic Tank Look Like?

Grease disposal regulations

Laws and guidelines that dictate how grease must be disposed of to prevent environmental damage and health hazards.

  1. Septic Tanks vs Sewer Systems: Clearing Confusion (Basics)

Grease trap cleaning

The process of removing accumulated grease from a grease trap to prevent blockages and maintain proper functioning.

  1. Can You Use Drano With A Septic Tank?
  2. Septic Tanks vs French Drains: What’s the Connection? (Basics)
  3. Overview
  4. Septic Tanks vs Trickling Filters: Understanding Differences (Basics)

Grease trap cleaning requirements

Standards and guidelines that dictate how often grease traps must be cleaned to prevent blockages and maintain proper functioning.

  1. Step 1: Anaerobic Digestion Process

Grease trap maintenance

  1. Septic Tanks vs Drain Fields: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  2. What To Put In Septic Tank To Break Down Solids?

Grease traps

A device that captures grease and oil from wastewater before it enters the septic tank, preventing clogs and damage to the system.

  1. Step 1: Understanding the Basics
  2. Septic Tanks vs Sewer Systems: Clearing Confusion (Basics)
  3. Concrete vs Plastic Septic Tanks (Understanding Differences)
  4. Gravity vs Pump Septic Systems: What’s Better? (Basics)
  5. Septic Tanks vs Lagoons: What’s Better? (Guide)
  6. Septic Tanks vs Municipal Sewage: Key Differences (Guide)
  7. Septic Tanks vs Soakaways: Understanding the Differences (Basics)
  8. Septic Tanks vs Drain Fields: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  9. Septic Tanks vs French Drains: What’s the Connection? (Basics)
  10. Overview
  11. Septic Tanks vs Trickling Filters: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  12. Do All Houses Have Septic Tanks?
  13. How Often To Pump A Septic Tank?
  14. How To Unclog A Septic Tank Drain Pipe?
  15. Step 1: Anaerobic Digestion Process
  16. What Does A Septic Tank Look Like?

Grease trap system

A plumbing system that collects and separates grease from wastewater before it enters a septic tank or sewer system.

  1. Step 1: Understanding the Basics

Greenhouse gas emissions

  1. Septic Tanks vs Biodigesters: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  2. Gravity vs Pump Septic Systems: What’s Better? (Basics)
  3. Septic Tanks vs Evapotranspiration Systems: Key Differences (Guide)
  4. Overview

Green technology

  1. Septic Tanks vs Composting Toilets: What’s Better? (Basics)

Greywater

Wastewater from household activities such as laundry, dishwashing, and bathing that does not contain human waste.

  1. Septic Tanks vs Privies: What’s the Connection? (Basics)
  2. Septic Tanks vs Greywater Systems (Understanding Differences)
  3. Septic Tanks vs Onsite Wastewater Treatment: Clearing Confusion (Guide)
  4. Soil Absorption System vs Septic Tanks (Understanding Differences)
  5. Septic Tanks vs Biodigesters: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  6. Septic Tanks vs Cisterns: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  7. What To Put In Septic Tank To Break Down Solids?
  8. Do All Houses Have Septic Tanks?
  9. How Deep Is A Septic Tank?
  10. Septic Tanks vs Composting Toilets: What’s Better? (Basics)
  11. Septic Tanks vs Subsurface Wetlands: What’s Better? (Basics)
  12. What Does A Septic Tank Look Like?
  13. What Happens When Septic Tank Is Full?
  14. How Do I Know If I Have A Septic Tank?
  15. Septic Tanks vs Drain Fields: Understanding Differences (Basics)

Greywater recycling

The process of treating and reusing wastewater from sources such as sinks, showers, and washing machines for non-potable purposes.

  1. Septic Tanks vs Cisterns: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  2. Septic Tanks vs Onsite Wastewater Treatment: Clearing Confusion (Guide)
  3. Do All Houses Have Septic Tanks?
  4. Septic Tanks vs Composting Toilets: What’s Better? (Basics)
  5. Septic Tanks vs Drain Fields: Understanding Differences (Basics)

Greywater reuse

The use of treated wastewater from sources such as sinks, showers, and washing machines for non-potable purposes such as irrigation or toilet flushing.

  1. Can You Have A Septic Tank Without A Leach Field?
  2. How Do Septic Tanks Work?
  3. How Long Does It Take To Pump A Septic Tank?

Greywater systems

Plumbing systems that separate greywater from blackwater and treat it for reuse.

  1. Septic Tanks vs Greywater Systems (Understanding Differences)
  2. Concrete vs Plastic Septic Tanks (Understanding Differences)
  3. Septic Tanks vs Drain Fields: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  4. Can I Shower If My Septic Tank Is Full?
  5. Do All Houses Have Septic Tanks?
  6. Septic Tanks vs Composting Toilets: What’s Better? (Basics)

Greywater tanks

Containers used to hold and treat greywater.

  1. Overview

Groundwater

Water that is found underground in the soil and rocks.

  1. Septic Tanks vs Onsite Wastewater Treatment: Clearing Confusion (Guide)
  2. Septic Tanks vs Composting Toilets: What’s Better? (Basics)
  3. Septic Tanks vs Leach Fields: Understanding the Connection (Basics)
  4. Septic Tanks vs Dry Wells: Know the Difference (Guide)
  5. Soil Absorption System vs Septic Tanks (Understanding Differences)
  6. Septic Tanks vs Municipal Sewage: Key Differences (Guide)
  7. Septic Tanks vs Drain Fields: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  8. Septic Tanks vs Biodigesters: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  9. Septic Tanks vs Lagoons: What’s Better? (Guide)
  10. Septic Tanks vs Sand Mounds: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  11. Septic Tanks vs Privies: What’s the Connection? (Basics)
  12. Septic Tanks vs Soakaways: Understanding the Differences (Basics)
  13. Septic Tanks vs Subsurface Wetlands: What’s Better? (Basics)
  14. Septic Tanks vs Sewer Systems: Clearing Confusion (Basics)
  15. Septic Tanks vs Evapotranspiration Systems: Key Differences (Guide)
  16. Septic Tanks vs Cisterns: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  17. Concrete vs Plastic Septic Tanks (Understanding Differences)
  18. Are Septic Tanks Bad?
  19. Septic Tanks vs Septic Dosing Systems: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  20. How Long Does It Take To Pump A Septic Tank?
  21. Step 1: Understand the Basics
  22. Overview
  23. Septic Tanks vs Package Plants: Clearing the Confusion (Basics)
  24. Step 1: Anaerobic Digestion Process
  25. Septic Tanks vs French Drains: What’s the Connection? (Basics)
  26. What Does A Septic Tank Look Like?
  27. What Happens When Septic Tank Is Full?
  28. Oxygen Requirement Difference
  29. Overview
  30. Step 1: Understanding the Basics
  31. What To Do After Septic Tank Is Pumped?
  32. Septic Tanks vs Constructed Wetlands: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  33. How To Unclog A Septic Tank Yourself?
  34. How To Clean Septic Tank?
  35. How Often To Pump A Septic Tank?
  36. How Long Does It Take To Replace A Septic Tank?
  37. How Do Septic Tanks Work?
  38. How Do I Know If I Have A Septic Tank?
  39. How Deep Is A Septic Tank?
  40. Gravity vs Pump Septic Systems: What’s Better? (Basics)
  41. Can You Drive Over A Septic Tank?
  42. Can I Shower If My Septic Tank Is Full?
  43. Septic Tanks vs Mound Systems: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  44. What To Put In Septic Tank To Break Down Solids?

Groundwater contamination

The presence of harmful substances in groundwater.

  1. Concrete vs Plastic Septic Tanks (Understanding Differences)
  2. Septic Tanks vs Dry Wells: Know the Difference (Guide)
  3. Septic Tanks vs Mound Systems: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  4. Septic Tanks vs Soakaways: Understanding the Differences (Basics)
  5. Septic Tanks vs Sand Mounds: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  6. Septic Tanks vs Leach Fields: Understanding the Connection (Basics)
  7. Septic Tanks vs Pressure Distribution Systems: Key Differences (Guide)
  8. Step 1: Understand the Basics
  9. Are Septic Tanks Bad?
  10. Septic Tanks vs Biodigesters: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  11. Septic Tanks vs Constructed Wetlands: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  12. Septic Tanks vs Lagoons: What’s Better? (Guide)
  13. Septic Tanks vs Privies: What’s the Connection? (Basics)
  14. Septic Tanks vs Sewer Systems: Clearing Confusion (Basics)
  15. Oxygen Requirement Difference
  16. Septic Tanks vs Municipal Sewage: Key Differences (Guide)
  17. Septic Tanks vs Aerated Lagoons: Know the Difference (Guide)
  18. How Far Is The Leach Field From The Septic Tank?
  19. Septic Tanks vs Package Plants: Clearing the Confusion (Basics)
  20. Septic Tanks vs Subsurface Wetlands: What’s Better? (Basics)
  21. Septic Tanks vs Trickling Filters: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  22. Overview
  23. Septic Tanks vs Septic Dosing Systems: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  24. Overview
  25. What Does A Full Septic Tank Look Like?
  26. Septic Tanks vs Greywater Systems (Understanding Differences)
  27. Step 1: Understanding the Basics
  28. Septic Tanks vs French Drains: What’s the Connection? (Basics)
  29. Septic Tanks vs Drain Fields: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  30. Septic Tanks vs Cisterns: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  31. Gravity vs Pump Septic Systems: What’s Better? (Basics)
  32. Can You Have A Septic Tank Without A Leach Field?
  33. Can You Drive Over A Septic Tank?
  34. Septic Tanks vs Onsite Wastewater Treatment: Clearing Confusion (Guide)
  35. What Does A Septic Tank Look Like?

Groundwater contamination risks

Factors that increase the likelihood of groundwater pollution.

  1. Septic Tanks vs Leach Fields: Understanding the Connection (Basics)
  2. Concrete vs Plastic Septic Tanks (Understanding Differences)
  3. Septic Tanks vs Cisterns: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  4. Septic Tanks vs French Drains: What’s the Connection? (Basics)
  5. Gravity vs Pump Septic Systems: What’s Better? (Basics)
  6. Septic Tanks vs Lagoons: What’s Better? (Guide)

Groundwater depletion

The reduction of groundwater levels due to overuse or other factors.

  1. Septic Tanks vs Evapotranspiration Systems: Key Differences (Guide)

Groundwater level

The depth at which groundwater is found in the soil.

  1. Soil Absorption System vs Septic Tanks (Understanding Differences)
  2. How Long Does It Take To Pump A Septic Tank?
  3. Gravity vs Pump Septic Systems: What’s Better? (Basics)
  4. How Big Of A Septic Tank Do I Need?
  5. How Deep Is A Septic Tank?
  6. How Long Does It Take To Replace A Septic Tank?
  7. How To Check Septic Tank Is Full?
  8. Septic Tanks vs Drain Fields: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  9. Septic Tanks vs Mound Systems: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  10. What Does A Septic Tank Look Like?

Groundwater monitoring

The process of regularly testing groundwater for contaminants.

  1. Can You Drive Over A Septic Tank?
  2. How Long Does It Take To Replace A Septic Tank?
  3. Septic Tanks vs Soakaways: Understanding the Differences (Basics)

Groundwater pollution

The presence of harmful substances in groundwater.

  1. Are Septic Tanks Bad?
  2. Septic Tanks vs Composting Toilets: What’s Better? (Basics)
  3. Septic Tanks vs Evapotranspiration Systems: Key Differences (Guide)
  4. Septic Tanks vs Lagoons: What’s Better? (Guide)
  5. Septic Tanks vs Biodigesters: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  6. Step 1: Understand the Basics
  7. Septic Tanks vs Drain Fields: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  8. Septic Tanks vs Soakaways: Understanding the Differences (Basics)

Groundwater protection

Measures taken to prevent contamination of groundwater.

  1. Are Septic Tanks Bad?
  2. Step 1: Understand the Basics
  3. Septic Tanks vs Dry Wells: Know the Difference (Guide)

Groundwater recharge

The process by which water is added to an aquifer.

  1. Septic Tanks vs Subsurface Wetlands: What’s Better? (Basics)
  2. Septic Tanks vs Onsite Wastewater Treatment: Clearing Confusion (Guide)
  3. Septic Tanks vs Cisterns: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  4. Septic Tanks vs Dry Wells: Know the Difference (Guide)
  5. Septic Tanks vs Evapotranspiration Systems: Key Differences (Guide)

Groundwater table

The level at which groundwater is found in the soil.

  1. Septic Tanks vs Privies: What’s the Connection? (Basics)
  2. Soil Absorption System vs Septic Tanks (Understanding Differences)
  3. How Deep Is A Septic Tank?
  4. Septic Tanks vs Septic Dosing Systems: Understanding Differences (Basics)
  5. Septic Tanks vs Dry Wells: Know the Difference (Guide)
  6. Septic Tanks vs French Drains: What’s the Connection? (Basics)
  7. How Big Of A Septic Tank Do I Need?
  8. How Do I Know If I Have A Septic Tank?
  9. How Far Is The Leach Field From The Septic Tank?
  10. How Long Do Septic Tanks Last?
  11. Septic Tanks vs Leach Fields: Understanding the Connection (Basics)
  12. Septic Tanks vs Sand Mounds: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  13. What Size Septic Tank Do I Need?

Groundwater table depth

The distance from the surface of the ground to the level of the groundwater.

  1. Septic Tanks vs Mound Systems: Clearing the Confusion (Guide)
  2. Soil Absorption System vs Septic Tanks (Understanding Differences)
  3. Septic Tanks vs Package Plants: Clearing the Confusion (Basics)