Do’s & Don’t’s
- First item and most important item: Pump your septic tank on a regular basis (minimum of every 1 to 3 years) depending on the number of people in the home. Four or more people - the tank should be pumped on a yearly basis. Regular pumping of the tank does not hurt the system or disrupt the bacteria levels in the tank.
- Conserve water to reduce the amount of wastewater that must be treated and disposed of.
- Immediately repair leaking faucets, toilets or any other item that would introduce additional and unnecessary volume to the waste water in the home. A cup of water leaking from somewhere every minute can add up to 90 gallons of water a day.
- Introduce only biodegradable wastes into the system.
- Divert down-spouts and other surface water away from your leach area.
- Keep your septic tank risers accessible for tank inspections and pumping maintenance.
- Minimize use of the garbage disposal. Compost your garbage or put it in the trash. If you must use the disposal for anything other than cleanup of dishes, have your system pumped more often. A garbage disposal can increase the solid level in the tank by as much as 50 percent.
- Do 1 or 2 loads of laundry per day rather than all of it in one day. Use a “septic-safe” liquid laundry soap.
- If you are planning a large party or family gathering at your home, have the tank pumped prior to the event to ensure the maximum capacity in the system.
- Have your septic system inspected and maintained on a regular basis to ensure it’s good working condition.
