What is a Septic System and Why Do Some Properties Need One?

berresexcavating
Jun 9
2 min read

Photo of several septic tanks being installed for a 7 bedroom home. — Installing a septic system in Ham Lake, MN for a 7 bedroom home!

💧 What Is a Septic System and Why Do Some Properties Need One?

If you live in a rural or suburban area, chances are your home relies on a septic system to handle wastewater. At Berres Excavating, we specialize in high-quality septic system installation across Minnesota—and one of the most common questions we hear is: "What is a septic system, and why do I need one?"

In this post, we’ll break it down in simple terms.

🛠️ What Is a Septic System?

A septic system is an on-site wastewater treatment system that safely manages water from your bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry room when your home isn’t connected to a city sewer line.

It typically includes:

Septic tank(s) – where solids settle and begin to break down. Depending on the size of your house and system design, you may need more than one.
A drain field (leach field) – where filtered wastewater is absorbed into the ground.
Optional components like pumps, filters, or risers, depending on the system type and soil conditions.

✅ In short: A septic system treats and disposes of household wastewater right on your property.

🌾 Why Do Some Properties Need a Septic System?

Not every property has access to a municipal sewer system—especially in rural, suburban, or newly developed areas.

You’ll need a septic system if:

Your home is outside city limits or in a rural zone
Your lot is not connected to a public sewer
Sewer extension is not cost-effective or available
Local regulations require private wastewater systems

🔍 Fun Fact: Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. homes use a septic system!

💡 How Does a Septic System Work?

Here’s a quick overview:

Wastewater flows from your home into the septic tank.
Solids settle to the bottom (sludge), oils float to the top (scum), and water (effluent) exits the tank.
The effluent is dispersed into the drain field, where it's naturally filtered through soil.
The soil and bacteria break down remaining contaminants, safely returning clean water to the environment.

🚨 What Happens If It’s Not Maintained?

Without proper care, septic systems can fail—causing backups, foul odors, contaminated groundwater, and expensive repairs. That’s why routine maintenance, professional inspections, and responsible usage are key.

Need tips? Read our blog: Top 5 Septic System Maintenance Tips to Avoid Costly Repairs

🏠 Building or Buying a Home That Needs Septic?

We’ve got you covered. Berres Excavating works with licensed septic designers and soil testers across Minnesota to deliver code-compliant, efficient, and long-lasting systems tailored to your property.

Whether you're installing a brand-new system or replacing an old one, trust the top septic installer in Minnesota to do it right the first time. At Berres Excavating, we believe in quality, honesty, and treating your project like it's our own.

📍 Based in Isanti, MN — proudly serving the North Metro and surrounding areas.

📞 Call us at 612-801-6939

📧 Email: info@berresexcavating.com