What is effluent?

Effluent refers specifically to the liquid waste that is discharged from a septic tank. In the context of sewage and wastewater management, effluent is the treated or untreated liquid that exits the septic system after undergoing a biological treatment process. It typically contains microorganisms that help in breaking down organic material. This liquid can then be released into a drain field or disposed of in other compliant methods, depending on local regulations and treatment standards.

The choice indicating semi-solid waste from a landfill describes a different waste category and does not pertain to liquid effluent. Solid waste collected from a drain field is also not accurate since drain fields primarily deal with the percolation of liquid effluent rather than solid waste. The mention of gas released during treatment does not relate to effluent, as it describes gaseous byproducts rather than a liquid form of waste. Understanding effluent is crucial for grasping how onsite sewage systems function and comply with health regulations.