• Septic systems cover both the surface and underground networks channeling human waste to treatment facilities.Toilet bowl and bidet in a toilet image by terex from Fotolia.com
  
  Septic systems operate to dispose of and treat sewage. Health guidelines establish criteria which impose standards for licensing, sewage disposal procedures, sewage disposal locations, the septic tank's dimensions and its make-up.
  
  

Septic Tank Contractor Licenses

• According to the Tennessee Division of Groundwater Protection, persons who are to empty sewage from septic tanks must hold septic tank pumping contractor licenses. This license has to be paid for and expires within one year.
  
  

Septic Tanks and Sewage Disposal

• The Tennessee Department of Environment and Corporation has subjected septic tank contractors to regulations concerning subsurface sewage disposal systems. Septic tanks must follow the approved design measurements and qualities. Thick-walled exterior, two-tiered compartments, water-tightness, hard resistance to corrosion and concreteness characterize the ideal septic tank. The gallon capacity of septic tanks must correspond with the number of bedrooms in a residence and septic tank's liquid depth.
  
  

Septic Treatment

• After sewage is cleared from the septic tanks, licensed private or public waste-water treatment facilities receive the septage or the contents of septic tanks. Residence owners have to maintain the underground sewage disposal system. Septic disposal system locations fall in line with specifications which safeguard health such as separation distance between septic tanks and water supplies, water lines, property lines, residences and farming projects.