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Septic Systems:  Do you know...?

  How well do you understand septic systems?
  To see if you know enough about your septic system, answer the following questions.
  If you cannot answer all the questions, your septic system could become a huge aggravation, public nuisance, health hazard and financial burden.

• Do you know what a septic system is and how it works?
• Do you know what kind of soil absorption area you have and how it works?
• Do you know what causes septic systems to fail?
• Do you know what it costs to replace a faulty septic system?
• Do you know that a faulty septic system creates health hazards and pollutes the ground water.

If you are like most people, you know very little about yourr septic tank system.   This is understandable.  In urban and suburban areas there are sewers to carry household waste to municipal wastewater treatment plants.  In most rural areas however, septic tank systems provide the function of both sewers and treatment plants.   All household waste is disposed of through the septic system.  The proper operation of the septic system is essential to health, property value, and the ecology.

10 HELPFUL HINTS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR SEWAGE SYSTEM

1.  Have the septic tank pumped out every 2-3 years.  This will remove the accumulated sludge and scum which would otherwise reach the tile field and cause blockage resulting in a malfunctioning sewage system and costly repairs.  This is the single most effective means of ensuring a long-lasting sewage system.

2.  It is always wise to practice water conservation.

3.  Use soaps and detergents which are low in phosphates.  Most automatic dishwashing detergents contain high concentrations of phosphates.

4.  Do not flush hazardous chemicals such as paints, varnish, thinners, waste oil, pesticides, photographic solutions, etc.

5.  Do not flush coffee grinds, dental floss, disposable diapers, kitty litter, sanitary napkins, tampons, cigarette butts, condoms, fat, grease or oil, paper towels, etc.

6.  Commercial septic tank additives are not necessary and are not recommended.

7.  Do not allow vehicles to including snow machines and ATV's to park on or drive over your sewage system.

8.  Divert roof drains, surface water, sump pumps and house footing drains away from the sewage system.

9.  Sewage systems should have a good cover of grass, ventilation and sunlight.   Trees and shrubs should not be planted over sewage systems.  However, trees and shrubs planted between your septic system and a water course would be beneficial to the environment.

10. Be alert to these warning signs:
  Sewage surfacing over the tile field.
  Sewage back-up in the house.
  Mushy ground of greener grass in the area of the septic system
  Slow draining toilet or drains.
  Sewage odours.

Following these hints, and observing these warning signs will help to ensure a long-lasting sewage system, avaoid expensive repairs or replacements, and protect everyone's water supply.

THE INSIDE STORY:

1.  Organic solid material floats to the surface and forms a layer of what is commonly called "scum".  Bacteria in the septic tank biologically convert this material to liquid.

2.  Inorganic or inert solid materials and the by-products of bacterial digestion sink to the bottom of the tank and form a layer commonly called "sludge".

3.  Only fairly clear water should exist between the scum and sludge layers.   This water fills the second chamber of the tank where it becomes even more clear.   It is this clear water - and only this clear water - that should be allowed to overflow from the tank into the drainage tiles in the absorption area, commonly called "the field" or "the bed" or sometimes "leaching field".

  Solid material overflowing into the soild absorption area should be avoided at all costs.   It is this solids overflow which clogs soil pores and causes septic systems to fail. 

  Two main factors cause solid material to build up enough to overflow:  Bacterial deficiency and lack of sludge removal.

  Bacteria must be present in the septic tank to digest the organic solids.  Normal household waste provides enough bacteria to digest the solids, UNLESS any harm is done to the bacteria.  Bacteria are very sensitive to environmental changes.  Many home-care products used in most homes every day will destroy bacteria.  Check the labels of these products to see if they are "Septic Safe" or "Safe for use in septic systems."

  A Pretty Good Rule (regarding chemicals):   "Shock the pool, not the septic!"

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