[RituallyPure]

There are two sorts of collection systems for communities that utilize septic tanks as part of the process. STEP Sewer and STEG Sewer systems. STEP (septic tank effluent pump) sewer is the system I assumed you had. STEG (septic tank effluent gravity) sewer is the system it sounds like you have.

I would assume so, the town refers to it as a "gravity system". We also have what is referred to as a "sewage lift station" here in town, as well.

If you don't have a pump in the septic tank itself you have a STEG system. The bad check valve in the ejector pump causes the water in the pipe to drain back into the pump basin after each cycle. Say you have 30 gallons of drawdown in your basin and There is should be no water from the septic tank flowing back. So there really isn't great concern that sewage backupwill occur.

I would guess that this is the case (water draining back through the pipe into the basin). In this town's system, there are no pumps in the septic tanks.

That part confuses me as well. It shouldn't happen that way. That pump in your basement only moves the water into the septic tank. Once it gets there one of two things happens... either another pump pump's it somewhere else... or gravity (the water justs flows downhill) takes the water via the sewer downgrade to where-ever it goes.

Maybe he was confused.. You seem to be a little more knowledgable on this stuff than he was. lol..

Imagine if what he said was the case... and you removed the pump and the check valve, all the neighbors water would flow backwards through your septic tank and fill your basement. I don't see how it can happen that way. Groundwater maybe, but not others wastewater. Do you have a high water table there? Has it rained alot? Water leaking into the tank and back into the house through a faulty check valve is the only thing that would cause it to act like you described.

The water table here is relatively high, but it's never been known to interfere with the sewer system. Hasn't really rained in a while, either.

Also - this basin you've described as being in the house, which collects water before the pump pumps it out to the septic tank - would this commonly be sealed under the basement floor?

The town is going to be upgrading everyone to a completely central sewer system this summer (no more septic tanks, pumps), due to deteroriating systems. Most of these systems are about 25 years old. Mine seems to be in pretty good condition, though.

Thanks!

R.P.