Don't "Waste" Time Worrying About Your Septic System

Septic Tank
The septic tank is essentially a waste storage unit separating the solids from the liquid. Wastewater enters tank from a high inlet pipe and exits through a lower outlet pipe. Heavier sediments sink to the bottom of the tank, forming the sludge layer. Lightweight solids, such as hair, fibers and grease, will form a scum or crust layer at the top of the liquid in the tank. To allow more time for settling, newer septic tanks feature one or more baffles, or dividers, to slow down the passage of wastewater from inlet to outlet. Naturally-occurring bacteria in the tank decompose some of the solids, but usually do not kill pathogens or remove toxic chemicals. Other solids need to be removed by pumping. The clearer wastewater will go out into the drain field.

Drain Field Area
The key component of a septic system is not the septic tank, but rather the soil absorption system. It may be called a drain field, leach field, leach bed, soil absorption field, seepage bed or mound. No matter what name it has, they all act similarly. After the septic tank has settled out solids, clarified wastewater is dispersed through perforated pipes into the soil of the drain field. The drain field, functioning as a physical strainer and biological recycler, is where the real wastewater treatment occurs.

Do not plant trees or shrubs on or close to the drain field, as roots will be drawn to the water. Do not drive any heavy equipment (snowmobiles, cars, etc.) over it. Mow over it, but don't fertilize or water the area. Do not plant a garden over it.

Servicing the Septic System
The septic tank needs to be serviced regularly. Many counties require the solids be removed from the tank every two to three years. Depending on the amount of water usage, number of individuals in the residence, sizing of the system, and age of the system, you may need to have the tank serviced more often. Systems with two tanks or dual compartment tanks are usually installed nowadays meaning less maintenance.

The solids should be removed through the manhole. (Sometimes this cover is buried.) The pumping of the system should include back flushing, which breaks up the solids in the bottom of the tank and the scum layer that forms at the top. After the pumping, the baffles need to be inspected. A damage baffle may cause the scum layer to float out into the drain field, and eventually the rock material in the drain field or the line to the drain field may become clogged. If the line or drain field becomes clogged, the water from the septic tank can back up into the house, run out the standpipe of the septic tank, or leach out through the surface of the drain field - a failed system will cost thousands of dollars to replace. Regular servicing of a system prolongs the life of the drain field.

Good Management and Maintenance
Practices Don't overload the system with water - the drain field is designed to handle a certain amount of water per day and can become saturated if too much is used. If a large volume of wastewater is carried into the system in a short period of time, it may suspend the solids in the tank and cause them to be flushed out into the drain field. Try to distribute the amount of water used as evenly as possible throughout each day, and spread large-volume washing chores throughout the week.

Take care to repair leaks promptly. Plan to install low water-usage fixtures and appliances. Remember that in most systems, all the water that drains from the shower, sinks or laundry goes right into the septic tank.

Food, grease, lint, paints, medicine, chemicals, plastic, paper towels, facial tissue, diapers, baby wipes, and feminine hygiene products are some of the items that should not go into the septic system. Many of these items can plug the baffles or the lines of the system. Grease and food float, so they will not settle to the bottom of the tank. Other items disrupt the biological function of the bacteria in the tank in breaking down the solids. Use of a garbage disposal is not recommended with a septic system; if you have one, the septic system will need to be serviced much more frequently.

Bleach, soaps, detergents, and other household cleaners and anti-bacterial products should be minimally used. Liquid detergent is recommended over powder. Overuse of these anti-bacterial products will destroy the necessary bacteria in the septic tank and impede its normal functioning.

Remember! You can avoid the frustration of a failed septic system by taking proper care of it. Following the above tips on regular servicing, minimizing activity in your drain field area, and good water management and maintenance practices will save you the huge trouble and expense of replacing the system.