Hints for Proper Septic Tank Maintenance

Important Information to Know

Maintaining your onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS) - or septic system - not only protects the lake and nearby groundwaters from being contaminated, but also protects your health and your investment in your home. Typical pollutants found in household wastewater include nitrogen, phosphorus, and disease-causing bacteria and viruses. A properly designed, constructed, and maintained system can provide long-term, effective treatment of household wastewater. If not properly maintained, a failing system can cost tens of thousands of dollars to replace.

A typical septic system has 4 main parts: 1) a pipe from the home that carries the wastewater into the tank; 2) a tank that holds the water long enough for the solids to settle out to the bottom and the oil and grease to float to the surface; 3) a drainfield where the water from the tank is discharged; 4) the soil where the microbes provide the final treatment.

Immediately Address the Signs of a Failed Septic System!

What to Look For

Pooling water or muddy soil around the tank or drainfield or in your basement
Bad smell coming from area of tank
Toilet or sink backs up when you flush or do laundry
Bright green grass over the drainfield

Consider the Alternatives

Replacing a septic tank with a holding tank is by far the preferred and best option. Additionally, there are alternative systems now available that use new technologies to improve treatment processes, many of which need less space to function. Such systems use sand, peat or plastic media instead of soil to treat the wastewater.

Daily Living and Your Septic Tank - Best Practices

Regularly inspect your system and pump your tank as necessary. It’s a good idea to have your system inspected every 2-3 years. In general, it should be pumped every 1-2 years but this depends on how much your system is used and its size. Your inspector can determine when it is time to pump your tank. If you don’t pump your tank routinely, the solids in the bottom can build up and make their way out into your leachfield, clogging it and eventually ruining it. You might not know you have a problem until it is too late and you need a new leachfield.
Don’t dispose of household hazardous wastes in sinks or toilets. Avoid paints, chemicals, cleaners, gasoline, oil, or other toxic materials that could kill the good bacteria in your system. Avoid things that can clog pipes such as diapers, coffee grounds, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, and grease and fat from cooking. Avoid frequent use of a garbage disposal. Normal use of antibacterial products such as hand soap is fine but excessive use might kill too many beneficial bacteria in your system and prevent it from working properly.
Care for your drainfield. Plant only grass or groundcover with shallow roots over or near your drainfield. Deep roots could clog and damage the drainfield. Don’t drive or park vehicles on the drainfield either. This could compact soil or damage the pipes. Keep roof drains, sump pump drains, and other surface water runoff away from the drainfield to avoid flooding it.
Conserve Water – Be conscious of using efficiently everyday. Using less water means less water going through your septic system. This helps it operate properly and reduces stress on your system and the risk of a failure.

A few recommendations to always keep in mind:

Avoid overloading your system with more water than it is meant to handle.
Don’t do multiple loads of laundry all in one day - spread it out instead.
Don’t drain a hot tub or pool into your tank or over your drainfield.
Some water softeners or filters flush themselves daily. Make sure these aren’t discharging into your system.
Consider using a basin in your sink when washing dishes and emptying it outside in order to limit the water flow into the tank.