Septic System Care

 

Caring for your Septic System

Taking Care of Your Onsite System
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure ” was never more true than it is with onsite wastewater system care. With proper operation and regular maintenance, your system will function better and last longer. Committing attention to the care of your system is the best way to avoid a failing system. Read the following Dos and Don’ts for trouble-free operation.

DOs
 Have your septic tank pumped regularly and checked for leaks and cracks.
 Conserve water to reduce the amount of wastewater that must be disposed of and treated by your system. Repairing any leaking facets and toilets will also help to conserve water.
 Discharge only biodegradable wastes into your system.
 Restrict garbage disposal use. Compost your garbage or put it in the trash.
 Divert down spouts and other surface water away from your drainfield.
 Keep your septic tank cover accessible for tank inspections and maintenance.
 Call a professional if you have problems.
 Keep a record of all maintenance work for the system.
 Ensure manholes are locked or heavy enough to prevent children from opening them.
 Use boiling water or a drain snake to open clogs.

DON’Ts
 Install a septic system near a water supply system.
 Build a septic system near a swimming pool or other surface waters.
 Flush sanitary napkins, tampons, disposable diapers, condoms and other non-biodegradable products into your system.
 Dump solvents, oils, paints, thinners, disinfectants, pesticides or poisons down the drain. Such items can disrupt the treatment process and contaminate groundwater.
 Dig in your drainfield or build anything over it.
 Plant anything over your drainfield except grass.
 Drive over your drainfield or compact the soil.
 Use caustic drain openers for clogged drains.
 Allow water softener backwash to enter your septic tank.
 Dump grease or fats down your kitchen drain.
 Cover the drainfield with a hard surface, such as asphalt or concrete.
 Ever enter a septic tank.
 Smoke around a septic tank.

How Often to Pump a Septic Tank
Regular pumping of a septic tank will extend the life of your wastewater system and protect your drainfield. The table below provides recommendations for approximately how often you should have your septic tank pumped. For example, a 1,000-gallon septic tank, which is used by two people, should be pumped every 6 years. If there are eight people using a 1,000-gallon septic tank, it should be pumped every year. It is also a good idea to have the tank pumped just before a large gathering of people.

 

  Number of persons in household
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tank sizes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Gals.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
1000
12 yrs.
6 yrs.
4 yrs.
3 yrs.
2 yrs.
1 yr.
1 yr.
1250
16 yrs.
7 yrs.
5 yrs.
3 yrs.
3 yrs.
2 yrs.
2 yrs.
1500
19 yrs.
9 yrs.
6 yrs.
4 yrs.
3 yrs.
3 yrs.
2 yrs.
1750
22 yrs.
11 yrs.
7 yrs.
5 yrs.
4 yrs.
3 yrs.
3 yrs.
2000
25 yrs.
12 yrs.
8 yrs.
6 yrs.
4 yrs.
4 yrs.
3 yrs.
2250
27 yrs.
14 yrs.
9 yrs.
7 yrs.
5 yrs.
4 yrs.
3 yrs.
2500
32 yrs.
16 yrs.
10 yrs.
7 yrs.
6 yrs.
5 yrs.
4 yrs.