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Unlike an urban sewer system that runs wastewater into a central drainage system, septic tanks are a house-by-house system. They are the ultimate destination for all your house’s wastewater—from bathtubs, showers, sinks, toilets, and washing machines. Wastewater flows into a tank buried in the ground outside your home, and then water runs from the tank to a drainage field using sloped pipes.

Frozen well pipes make themselves known quickly, as your faucets slow down to a trickle or shut down completely. If you notice a serious reduction in flow in the winter from toilets, showers, kitchen faucets, and other plumbing fixtures, a frozen pipe or two is to blame. Another tell-tale sign is frost or ice on exposed pipes outside. 

Yes, shower water goes into the septic tank. Shower water is a type of greywater, and in fact, all water used in a home with a septic system—including water from sinks, toilets, the dishwasher, and the washing machine—drains into the tank. When shower water enters the tank, debris like soap and hair travels with it. The solid debris sinks to the bottom to become sludge, while soap residue joins the scum layer at the top. The remaining water is treated in the tank before moving to the drain field for further treatment and dispersal. It is important to avoid putting oil or harsh chemicals down any drain, as they can cause clogs or disrupt the beneficial bacteria required for proper wastewater management in the septic system.

A new water well pressure tank costs $300 to $500. If you choose to hire a plumber for the job, expect labor to cost $125 to $200. If the tank is difficult to access, labor will cost more. Diaphragm and bladder well pressure tanks have similar costs. One-compartment well pressure tanks are less costly, but they have a higher chance of waterlogging. Larger pressure tanks cost more and hold more water, but they don’t increase water pressure.