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Glite Dictionary
drainfield

drainfield

7.9
An area of soil that soaks up and cleans water from a septic tank
  • noun
  • /ˈdreɪnˌfiːld/
  • Specialized
translation icon : campo de drenaje
  • After going through the sand filter, effluent is sent to a small pressurized drainfield.

Examples

  • Visual inspection of the drainfield did not show any signs of seepage.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Our septic system, including the drainfield, was located in the front yard, which is generally not where a septic system should be installed.

    Blog text (3)

  • Outflow from the filter is usually provided by a four-inch pipe surrounded by drainfield rock.

    Academic text (2001)

  • It should be noted, however, that water flow reductions based on low-flow fixtures will probably result in higher-strength wastes entering drainfields.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The wastewater from our septic tank is filtered through the drainfield before being absorbed into the ground.

  • Inspecting the drainfield is important to ensure that it is functioning properly and that no wastewater is leaking.

  • To prevent contamination, it is crucial to keep the area above the drainfield clear of heavy structures and vegetation.

Synonyms

filter bed
vsdrainfield
  • Specialized
3.7

A layer of sand or gravel that cleans water by removing dirt

uses natural soil area to absorb and filter wastewater from a septic tank

Surface Forms

drainfield singular
drainfields plural

Morphology

drainfield = drain + field (semi-transparent) = drain + field

The word is built from recognizable bases, but the septic-system sense is a specialized technical meaning rather than a fully obvious everyday one.

Etymology

The word drainfield comes from two simple words, drain and field. Drain means 'to remove water' and field means 'open ground', so a drainfield is the area of ground that takes in and filters wastewater from a septic tank.