Abstract: A septic system, including a septic tank and a pipe positioned within the septic tank, is provided. The pipe receives sewage and provides a flooded, anaerobic environment for sewage passing therethrough. The outlet of the pipe is positioned inside the septic tank and is optionally spaced from the outlet of the septic tank. In operation, the sewage introduced into the pipe generally separates into a solid portion comprising sludge, which remains in the pipe, and a liquid portion, which passes through and around the sludge. In one embodiment, the septic system has an absence of a sump chamber upstream of the septic tank.