Can I Have a Septic Tank Without a Leach Field?

Quick Review of the Septic System

Before we get to space-saving options, let’s go over the septic system. A septic system is an underground wastewater treatment structure common in areas without centralized sewer systems. These systems use a combination of natural processes and chemical reactions to treat wastewater from your household plumbing. A typical septic system consists of a septic tank and a drain field, or leach field.
The pipes in your household plumbing lead solid waste and wastewater to your septic tank where they separate into three layers. The top layer of scum and oil floats, the middle layer of wastewater is readily ejected out of the outlet pipes toward the leach field, and the bottom layer of solid waste is broken down into sludge by bacteria and chemicals in the septic tank.
The sludge in the septic tank builds up until it needs to be removed with a septic cleaning. Meanwhile, the wastewater is treated by percolating through the leach field. There are many types of leach fields, but they all have one task: treat the wastewater. In essence, wastewater is treated as it percolates through the soil.