Georgia Residential Contractor Practice Exam

What is the minimum height difference required between the outlet and inlet of a septic tank?

1. 1 inch

2. 2 inches

3. 4 inches

4. 6 inches

The correct answer is: 2 inches

The minimum height difference required between the outlet and inlet of a septic tank is essential to ensure proper functioning and wastewater management. This 2-inch height difference helps maintain the correct flow of wastewater from the inlet to the outlet, promoting sedimentation and preventing the mixing of effluent and influent. By having this height difference, it aids in the separation process, ensuring that solids settle at the bottom of the tank while allowing the clarified water to flow out through the outlet. This practice helps reduce the risk of solids clogging the outlet, which can lead to system failures and contamination issues. A height difference of 2 inches is widely recognized in industry standards, reflecting best practices and regulatory requirements. It balances enough height to facilitate adequate flow dynamics while not being excessive, which could lead to other issues within the tank. Understanding this requirement is critical for proper septic system design and installation, ensuring functionality and longevity of the system. Other height differences provided, such as 1, 4, or 6 inches, do not align with these guidelines and may result in inefficient operations or potential failure of the septic system.