Septic Systems

Correctly maintained septic systems filter wastes properly and keep them from entering nearby bodies of water. A typical septic system has four main components: a pipe from the home, a septic tank, a drainfield, and the soil. The septic tank is a buried, watertight container typically made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. It holds the wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle out (forming sludge) and oil and grease to float to the surface (as scum). It also allows partial decomposition of the solid materials. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet in the septic tank prevent the sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drainfield area. Screens are also recommended to keep solids from entering the drainfield. The wastewater exits the septic tank and is discharged into the drainfield for further treatment by the soil. Microorganisms in the soil provide final treatment by removing harmful bacteria, viruses, and nutrients before it eventually reaches groundwater.

To protect your septic system:

1  Regularly inspect your system and pump as necessary.
If properly designed, constructed, and maintained, your septic system can provide long-term, effective treatment of household wastewater. If your septic system isn’t maintained, you might need to replace it, costing you thousands of dollars. Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace, and poor maintenance is often the culprit. Having your septic system inspected is a bargain when you consider the cost of replacing the entire system. Your system will need pumping every few years, depending on how many people live in the house and the size of the system. An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property’s value and could pose a legal liability. And if you sell your home, your septic system must be in good working order.

2  Use water efficiently.
Average indoor water use in the typical single-family home is almost 70 gallons per person per day. Dripping faucets can waste about 2,000 gallons of water each year. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day. The more water a household conserves, the less water enters the septic system.

• Fill the bathtub with only as much water as you need
• Turn off faucets while shaving or brushing your teeth
• Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when they’re full
• Make sure all faucets are completely turned off when not in use
• Maintain your plumbing to eliminate leaks
• Install aerators in the faucets in your kitchen and bathroom
• Replace old dishwashers, toilets, and clothes washers with new, high-efficiency models

3  Flush responsibly.
Dental floss, feminine hygiene products, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, paper towels, and other kitchen and bathroom items can clog and potentially damage septic system components. Don’t use a garbage disposal. Instead, compost your kitchen garbage. Use only recommended amounts and types of household cleaners. Don’t pour household chemicals, such as solvents, paints, gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze or disinfectants down the drain. Flushing these chemicals can stress or destroy the biological treatment taking place in the system or might contaminate surface waters and groundwater.

4  Care for your drainfield. 
Avoid driving or parking vehicles on your drainfield. Plant only grass over and near your drainfield to avoid damage from roots and maintain a good vegetative cover. Avoid the use of lawn chemicals. Never build, put up a storage shed or add a sprinkler system within your drainfield.

Other good reasons for safe treatment of sewage include preventing the spread of infection and disease and protecting water resources. Typical pollutants in household wastewater are nitrogen, phosphorus, and disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Nitrogen and phosphorus are aquatic plant nutrients that can cause unsightly algae blooms. Excessive nitrate-nitrogen in drinking water can cause pregnancy complications, as well as methemoglobinemia (also known as blue baby syndrome) in infancy. Pathogens can cause communicable diseases through direct or indirect body contact or ingestion of contaminated water or shellfish. If a septic system is working properly, it will effectively remove most of these pollutants.