| Consultation and System Maintenance (Sewage) |
Environmental Health Staff are available for private sewage consultations during normal office hours
(8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday). It is suggested interested persons call and schedule an
appointment with the closest Environmental Health office before coming to assure service.
Sewage System Maintenance
A typical septic system consists of two major components, the tank and the dispersal area. The purpose of the tank is to separate the liquids from the solids, and to begin breaking down contaminants. After leaving the tank, effluent flows to a dispersal area where it is further treated by the soil.
How to care for your system
Septic system maintenance involves little effort and can significantly prolong the life of the system.
System maintenance can also save you a lot of money in the long run. Sound system operation and
maintenance practices include conserving water, being careful that nothing harmful is disposed of
through the system, and routinely inspecting and pumping the system. Good maintenance habits can
be developed by educating everyone in your household what is and what is not good for your septic system.
Use Water Wisely
Water conservation is very important for septic systems because continual saturation of the soil in
the drainfield can affect the quality of the soil and its ability to remove toxins, bacteria, viruses
and other pollutants from the wastewater.
Conserve water by taking stock of how it is being wasted. Repair leaking faucets, running toilets and
use washing machines and dishwashers only when full. Avoid letting water run while washing hands and
brushing teeth. Avoid taking long showers and install water saving fixtures in faucets and shower heads.
These features can reduce water use by up to 50%. Low-flush toilets use 1-2 gallons per flush compared to
3-5 gallons used by conventional toilets. Even using a toilet dam or putting a container filled with rocks
in the toilet tank can reduce water use by 25%.
It is important to avoid overtaxing your system by using a lot of water in a short time period or by
allowing too much outside water to reach the drainfield. Divert roof drains, footing drains, surface
water, sump pumps, and water softener brines away from the drainfield.
Know What Not to Flush
What you put into your septic system greatly affects its ability to do its job. As a general rule
of thumb, do not dispose of anything in your septic system that can just as easily be put in the
trash. Remember that your system is not designed to be a garbage disposal, and that solids build
up in the septic tank and eventually need to be pumped out.
In the kitchen, avoid washing food scraps, coffee grinds, and other food items down the drain.
Grease and cooking oils contribute to the layer of scum in the tank and also should not be put
down the drain. Garbage disposals can increase the amount of solids in the tank up to 50% and
are not recommended for use with septic systems.
The same common-sense approach used in the kitchen should be used in the bathroom. Don't use
the toilet to dispose of plastics, paper towels, tampons, disposable diapers, condoms, kitty
litter etc. The only things that should be flushed down the toilet are wastewater and toilet
paper.
Avoid Hazardous Chemicals
To avoid disrupting or permanently damaging your septic system, do not use it to dispose of
hazardous household chemicals. Even small amounts of paints, varnishes, thinners, waste oil,
photographic solutions, pesticides, and other organic chemicals can destroy helpful bacteria
and the biological digestion taking place within your system. These chemicals also pollute
the groundwater.
Household cleaners, such as bleach, disinfectants, and drain and toilet bowl cleaners should
be used in moderation and only in accordance with the product labels. Overuse of these products
can harm your system. It makes sense to try to keep all toxic and hazardous chemicals out of your
septic tank when possible.
Pump Your Tank Regularly
Pumping your septic tank is probably the single most important thing you can do to protect
your system. If the buildup of solids in the tank becomes too high and solids move to the
drainfield, this could clog and strain the system to the point where a new drainfield is
needed. This health department recommends that you pump your septic tank a minimum of once
every 3-5 years. How often your tank needs to be pumped depends on tank size, the number of
people living in your home, and the habits of your particular household. Garbage disposals
and high water use technologies such as a hot tub or whirlpool also affect the pumping frequency.
Monitor Your System Health
Monitoring the health of your system is a good way to head off future problems. Map out
the location of your tank and drainfield so you know where they are located in the future.
Maintain access to your septic tank by installing a riser if needed. Watch for potential
problems, such as soft or spongy ground over the drainfield (especially after storms),
sewage odors in the house or yard, slowly draining sinks, toilets, etc, gurgling sounds
in the plumbing, and sewage backing up into the house. When the system is pumped make
sure all baffles and tees are in place and in working order. This will prevent solids
from entering your drainfield.
Protect Your System
Don't plant anything but grass near your septic system and keep this area trimmed and cut.
Roots from shrubs and trees can enter and clog drainfield pipes. Don't allow anyone to drive
over any part of the system. Do not construct buildings or concrete over any part of the sewage
system. Grass is the most appropriate cover for the drainfield.
Myths and Folklore
There are a lot of myths about the best ways to startup a new septic system and to maintain
an existing one. Some people believe that you should "seed" your septic tank to help start the
bacteria growth. Some ideas on how to seed your tank include flushing a pound of yeast in the
system, seeding your tank with manure, and even placing a dead cat inside the septic tank.
These measures might create bacteria growth within your tank, but are completely unnecessary.
Yeast and manure will breed bacteria within your tank, but they will not do it any faster than
the sewage you generate within your house. Wastewater created within your house will provide
all the necessary bacteria to help your system function properly.
Another myth is that placing additives in your system can help renew your system's life span.
Some of these additives even claim that they eliminate the need to pump out your tank. These
products usually contain yeast, bacteria, or enzymes. However, there is little evidence showing
that these additives are beneficial. First, there are materials inside your tank which cannot be
broken down by any bacteria or enzymes. Some of these materials are organic while others are
inorganic solids such as bits of plastic, sand, and grit. Secondly, the habitat within your
tank is a very specialized one that is only fit for certain types of bacteria that have adapted
specially to live in that environment. Any external bacteria that are introduced to your septic
tank are more likely to be eaten than they are to eat. Enzymes, unlike bacteria, are not living
organisms, and cannot reproduce. The number of enzymes you add to your tank is the number of
enzymes that will remain in your tank. They will never increase in number. Because septic
tanks are usually very large in volume, it would be very difficult to add enough enzymes to
make a difference.
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