Things To Do
- Discharge only biodegradable wastes into the system.
- Keep tank cover accessible for inspections and pumping. Installing extensions or risers over the tank, if it is buried over six inches, may be a good idea for easy access. Easy access may be especially important during the winter months, when ground in this area will be frozen.
- Have the tank pumped regularly. Industry standards recommend every 3-5 years, more often for older systems or systems with problems.
- Restrict use of a garbage disposal. Ground up foods are especially hard on the septic system because they are not digested first by the human body. This waste will fill the tank more rapidly and also float, increasing the scum thickness.
- Add a product, such as ccls, to your system on a regular basis to keep your bacteria at optimum levels.
Things Not To do
- Do not dump solvents, oils, paint, paint thinners, and pesticides down the drain. These kill bacteria your system depends on to purify sewage. Large quantities of these substances change the contents of your tank to hazardous materials, which cannot be disposed of at our local septic dump station.
- Do not empty large quantities of water, such as from hot tubs, especially if they are chlorinated.
- Do not dig into your leachfield, plant anything except grass over it, or build over your leachfield or septic tank.
- Do not flush cigarette butts, sanitary napkins, baby wipes, paper towels, or any other inorganic materials down the toilet.
- Do not drive over the system, or let heavy animals walk over the system on a regular basis.