Are you on a Septic System?
Homes outside of City limits (and even some inside City limits) usually treat waste water with an on-site individual waste water system (septic system). Systems design varies from a standard system where there are good soils and no constraints to high-tech systems with media filters and UV treatment where site constraints require advanced treatment.
A septic system consists of a septic tank for pre-treatment of the indoor waste water, and a disposal field for soil treatment. When Buckhorn Geotech designs a septic system, the Owner is given a handout on system operation and maintenance. Some excerpts from this handout are shown below.
The main items to remember are:
- WATCH WHAT GOES DOWN THE DRAIN: no harmful chemicals, no oil, minimize use of garbage disposal, no coffee grinds or other large of non-biodegradable items.
- SPREAD OUT WATER USE THROUGH THE DAY AND WEEK: Spread laundry throughout the week and don’t do immediately after a bath, shower or dishwasher cycle, conserve water and fix leaks.
- PUMP YOUR SEPTIC TANK REGULARLY (3-5 years): Refer to table below on pumping frequency.
- DON’T IRRIGATE HEAVILY OVER YOUR DISPOSAL BED: Refer to Septic System Dos and Don’ts below.
Septic System Dos and Don’ts
Do: learn the location of your septic tank and drainfield. Keep a sketch of it handy with your maintenance record for service visits.
Do: have your septic system inspected annually.
Do: have your septic tank pumped out by a licensed contractor, approximately every three to five years, or as often as is appropriate for your system.
Do: keep your septic tank cover accessible for inspections and pumping. Install risers if necessary.
Do: call a professional whenever you experience problems with your system, or if there are any signs of system failure.
Do: keep a detailed record of repairs, pumping, inspections, permits issued, and other maintenance activities.
Do: conserve water to avoid overloading the system. Be sure to repair any leaky faucets or toilets.
Do: divert other sources of water, like roof drains, house footing drains, and sump pumps, away from the septic system. Excessive water keeps the soil in the drainfield from naturally cleansing the wastewater.
Don’t: go down into a septic tank. Toxic gases are produced by the natural treatment processes in septic tanks and can kill in minutes. Extreme care should be taken when inspecting a septic tank, even when just looking in.
Don’t: allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system.
Don’t: plant anything over or near the drainfield except grass. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage the drain lines.
Don’t: dig in your drainfield or build anything over it, and don’t cover the drainfield with a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt. The area over the drainfield should have only a grass cover. The grass will not only prevent erosion, but will help remove excess water.
Don’t: make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required health department permit. Use professional licensed onsite contractors when needed.
Don’t: use septic tank additives. Under normal operating conditions, these products usually do not help and some may even be harmful to your system.
Don’t: use your toilet as a trash can or poison your septic system and the groundwater by pouring harmful chemicals and cleansers down the drain. Harsh chemicals can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater.
Don’t: use a garbage disposal without checking with your local regulatory agency to make sure that your septic system can accommodate this additional waste.
Don’t: allow backwash from home water softeners to enter the septic system.
Tank Pumping Frequency Guideline
Click here to view Maintaining Your Septic System - A Guide for Homeowners.pdf
(Excerpts provided by the National Environmental Services Center, WVU Research Center, (800)624-8301, Vol. 15, No. 4.)