In septic systems, what does 'capacity' refer to?

In the context of septic systems, 'capacity' specifically refers to the maximum volume of wastewater that the system can handle effectively. This is a critical aspect because each septic system is designed to accommodate a certain amount of wastewater based on the size of its components, including the tank and the leach field. If the volume of wastewater exceeds this capacity, it can lead to system failure, such as backups, leaks, or environmental contamination.

Understanding the capacity is essential for homeowners and installers alike, as it informs decisions about the size and specifications of the system needed for a particular property, especially considering the number of users and the average wastewater generation. However, merely assessing the total number of users or the area of the leach field doesn't provide a complete picture of how much wastewater the system can manage. Similarly, the speed of wastewater treatment focuses more on efficiency rather than how much volume can be processed at any given time.