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How to Mix Septic Tank Bacteria With Sulfur in Warm Water

Homeowners in rural area use septic tanks to treat the waste water that leaves their homes. The septic tank enters a holding tank, where the solid material settles to the bottom. The effluent floats at the top and passes through a pump into a leach, or drain, field. Bacteria feed on the effluent, turning into a black, sticky biomat. You can collect some of the biomat and mix sulfur with water to see what happens to the bacteria.

Things You'll Need

Disposable gloves
Plastic knife
Plastic container
Warm water
Plastic spoon
Sulfur minerals

Instructions

- 1
  Put on protective disposable gloves that can be thrown away. Locate the drain or leach field where the effluent is pumped from the septic tank.
- 2
  Collect a bit of the effluent by taking a piece of the tarry biomat using the plastic knife. Deposit the biomat into the plastic container.
- 3
  Return to the room where you have the warm water and sulfur minerals. Add water to the container. Spoon in some of the sulfur. Take notes on how the bacteria reacts as the sulfur dissolves.

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