Georgia Residential Contractor Practice Exam

What is the minimum liquid capacity required for a septic tank serving a 1-4 bedroom single-family home?

1. 500 gallons

2. 750 gallons

3. 1000 gallons

4. 1250 gallons

The correct answer is: 1000 gallons

The minimum liquid capacity required for a septic tank serving a 1-4 bedroom single-family home is 1000 gallons. This capacity is established to ensure adequate treatment of wastewater produced by the household. It provides enough volume for the solids to settle, allowing for efficient anaerobic digestion, which reduces the number of pathogens and organic matter before the effluent is discharged into the drain field. Septic systems need to be sufficiently sized to handle the daily flow from the household, considering factors such as the number of bedrooms, anticipated water usage, and the type of fixtures in the home. A 1000-gallon tank is typically seen as the standard minimum to accommodate the needs of an average household while maintaining health and environmental safety standards. The larger options like 1250 gallons would be considered for larger households or where additional waste management capacity is desirable, but for a standard 1-4 bedroom single family home, 1000 gallons is the recognized minimum.