Maintaining Your Septic System—A Guide For Homeowners
Contents
1. for the drainfield Sound septic system operation and maintenance practices include conserving water being careful that nothing harmful is disposed of through the system and having the system inspected annually and pumped regularly By educating everyone in your household about what is and what isn t good for septic systems they can begin to develop good maintenance habits 5 3 National Environmental Services Center 800 624 8301 or 304 293 4191 What you put into your septic system greatly affects its ability to do its job Remember your septic system contains living organisms that digest and treat waste As a general rule of thumb do not dispose of anything in your septic system that can just as easily be put in the trash Your system is not designed to be a garbage can and solids build up in the septic tank that will eventually need to be pumped The more solids that go into the tank the more frequently the tank will need to be pumped and the higher the risk for problems to arise In the kitchen avoid washing food scraps coffee grinds and other food items down the drain Grease and cooking oils con tribute to the layer of scum in the tank and also should not be put down the drain The same common sense approach used in the kitchen should be used in the bathroom Don t use PIPELINE Fall 2004 Vol 15 No 4 Maintenance What Not To Flush the toilet to dispose of plastics paper towel2. in years These figures assume there is no garbage disposal unit in use If one is in use pumping frequency may need to be increased Source Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension Service LEUS Size CEIR Household Size number of people feof sf o_o DEEE of ef af eof ol ve IRD reel val cl ae 20 reel eel af sl oe asf af sof ae of af wo oof al cael ef off el EDD RCECRORS PIPELINE Fall 2004 Vol 15 No 4 Maintenance distribution box drop box or pump these need to be checked too How often the tank needs to be pumped depends on the tank size the number of people living in your home and the habits of your particular household Garbage disposals and high water use appliances such as a hot tub or whirlpool also affect the pumping frequency When it s time to pump be sure to hire a licensed contractor He or she will have the appropriate equipment and will dispose of the sludge at an approved treat ment site You can find listings for licensed pumpers and haulers in the yellow pages or contact your local health department or permitting agency for assistance It s a good idea to be present when your tank is being pumped Make sure that the contractor uses the manhole not the inspection ports to pump the tank to avoid dam aging the baffles or tees Also make sure all of the material in the tank is removed It is not necessary to leave anything in the tank to rest
3. Pip mall Community Wastewater Issues Explained to the Public FALL 2004 Vol 15 No 4 Maintaining Your Septic System A Guide For Homeowners uried beneath your back yard it is out there constantly working When you re at work it is working When you re eating dinner it continues working And when you re sleeping it s still out there in the dark working What is it Your septic system It may be the most overlooked and under valued utility in your home but with proper care and mainte nance your septic system can continue to work for you for at least 25 to 30 years If you are like most homeowners you probably never give much thought to what happens when waste goes down your drain But if you rely on a septic system to treat and dispose of your house hold wastewater what you don t know can hurt you Proper operation and mainte nance of your septic system can What s Inside Maintaining Your Septic System 1 What Not to Flush Modem Appliances that Affect Septic Systems How Your Septic System Works 6 Use Water Wisely All Around the House Septic System Dos and Don ts 7 Related Products have a significant impact on how well it works and how long it lasts and in most communities septic system maintenance is the responsibility of the homeowner Preventing groundwater pollution from failing septic systems should be a priority for every community and every homeowner C
4. Products related to Septic Systems Conventional Onsite Sewage Disposal System Your Septic System What it is and how to take care of it Video WWVTPE61 10 00 Your Septic System A Guide for Homeowners Video WWVTPE16 10 00 Septic System Maintenance Fact sheet WWFSPE7S oiii 0 80 Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Operation and Maintenance Fact sheet WWFSOM45 w 1 00 Homeowner s Manual for the Operation Monitoring and Maintenance of a Gravity Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System Manual WWBLOMNG7 0 0 00c ee 13 00 Homeowner s Manual for the Operation Monitoring and Maintenance of a Proprietary Device Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System Manual WWBLOM48 13 00 Homeowner s Manual for the Operation Monitoring and Maintenance of a Pressure Distribution Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System Manual WWBLOMSAS 00 13 00 Homeowner s Septic Tank Information Package WWPKPE28 ccceecee 2 25 Homeowner Onsite System Recordkeeping Folder WWBLPE97 0 ee 0 45 These products may be ordered by calling us at 800 624 8301 AM NMOLNVYDHOM ve ON LIWdsd did FDWLSOd S N NOLWZINVOHO LUAQUdNON QaLSANOAY AOIAYAS SSAYCdV 7909 S0G9z2 AM uMoUeBIOW y909 xog Od g AYSJOAIUl BIUIBUIA ISOAA uoneodion YOeeSEy NAM 101U8 V S S e UaWUOJIAUZ JeUOIeN
5. a University P O Box 6064 Morgantown WV 26506 6064 Pipeline is funded through a grant from the U S Environmental Protection Agency Washington D C Steve Hogye Project Officer Municipal Support Division Office of Wastewater Management National Small Flows Clearinghouse West Virginia University Morgantown WV Rick Phalunas IED Marilyn Noah Editor Jennifer Hause Technical Advisor Ed Winant PE Technical Advisor John Fekete Senior Graphic Designer Jamie Bouquot Graphic Designer Permission to quote from or reproduce articles in this publications is granted when due acknowledgement is given Please send a copy of the publication in which information was used to the Pipeline editor at the address above MF West Virginia v University an equal opportunity affirmative action institution ISSN 1060 0043 The contents of this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U S Environmental Protection Agency nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use amp Printed on recycled paper PIPELINE Fall 2004 Vol 15 No 4 Maintenance Laundry amp Dishes J How to Maintain Your System Septic system maintenance is often compared to automobile maintenance because only a little effort on a regular basis can save a lot of money and significantly prolong the life of the system Annual inspections of your septi
6. and the U S Department of Energy Use only nonphosphate or low phosphate laundry detergents Powder detergents with low inert clay content are also easier on the septic system Bathrooms In a typical household most of the water used indoors is used in the bathroom and there are several little things that can be done to conserve water there For example try to avoid letting water run while washing hands and brushing teeth Avoid taking long showers and install water saving features in faucets and shower heads These devices can reduce water use by up to 50 per cent Low flush toilets use 1 6 gallons per flush compared to the three to five gallons used by con ventional toilets Even using a toilet dam or putting a container filled with rocks in the toilet tank can reduce water use by 25 percent It is also important to avoid over taxing your system by using a lot of water in a short time period or by allowing too much outside water to reach the drainfield Try to space out activities requiring heavy water use over several days Also divert roof drains surface water and sump pumps away from the drainfield Readers are encouraged to reprint Pipeline articles in local newspapers or include them in fly ers newsletters or educational pre sentations Please include the name and phone number of the National Environmental Service Center NESC on the reprinted information and send us a copy for our files I
7. art the biological processes but it is also not necessary to scrub or disinfect the tank Pumping your septic tank is probably the single most impor tant thing that you can do to protect your system If the buildup of solids in the tank becomes too high and solids move to the drain field this could clog and strain the system to the point where a new drainfield will be needed Recordkeeping It is very important to keep a detailed record of all inspections pumpings permits repairs and any other maintenance to your system along with a sketch of where your septic system is located Having this information on hand for service visits can save you both time and money Learn the location of your septic system and keep a dia gram or sketch of it with your maintenance records Inspecting your septic system annually is a good way to monitor your system s health Inspections can reveal problems before they become serious and by checking the levels of sludge and scum in your tank you can get a more accurate idea of how often it should be pumped Protect the tank and drainfield Protect your septic system from potential damage Don t plant anything but grass near your septic system roots from shrubs and trees can cause damage and don t allow anyone to drive or operate heavy machinery over any part of the system Also don t build anything over the drainfield Grass is the most appropriate cover
8. c system are recommended to ensure that it is working prop erly and to determine when the septic tank should be pumped Systems that have moving parts may require more frequent inspections By having your system inspected and pumped regularly you can prevent the high cost of septic system failure A professional contractor can do a thorough inspection of the entire system and check for cracked pipes and the condition of the tees or baffles and other parts of the system A thorough septic system inspec tion will include the following steps 1 Locating the system Even a professional may have trouble locating the system if the access to your tank is buried One way to start looking is to go in the basement and determine the direction the sewer pipe goes out through the wall Back outside the inspector will use an insulated probe inserted into the soil to Water Use Around The Home Drinking amp Cooking A I TP locate the buried piping Once the system components are found be sure to sketch a map and keep it on hand to save time on future service visits 2 Uncovering the manhole and inspection ports This may require some digging in the yard If they are buried it will help future inspections if elevated access covers or risers are installed to make it easier to access the ports and manhole 3 Checking connections Flushing the toilets running water in the sinks running the wa
9. ce practices DRT B i bt J A Za ES Use Water Wisely All Around The House Water conservation is very important for septic systems because continual saturation of the soil in the drainfield can affect the quality of the soil and its ability to naturally remove toxics bacteria viruses and other pollutants from the waste water The most effective way to con serve water around the house is to first take stock of how it is being wasted Immediately repair any leaking faucets or running toilets and use dishwashers only when full Laundry You can also cut down on water use by selecting the proper load size for your washing machine Washing small loads of laundry with large quantities of water is a waste of both water and energy Also doing laundry all in one day might seem like a good use of time but it could be harmful to your septic system By doing several loads in succession the septic system does not have time to adequately treat wastes You might be hydraulically overload ing your septic system causing it to pass solids into the drainfield Newer energy efficient clothes washers use 35 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than a standard model Look for appliances that display the Energy Star symbol This indicates they meet strict Ask Arr ENERGY STAR National Environmental Services Center 800 624 8301 or 304 293 4191 energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA
10. d rollers on several layers of newspaper before rinsing To help prevent groundwater pollution be sure to dispose of leftover hazardous chemicals by taking them to an approved hazardous waste collection center For more information contact your local health department Additives System Cleaners While many products on the market claim to help septic systems work better the truth is there is no magic potion to cure an ailing system In fact most engineers and sanitation profes sionals believe that commercial septic system additives are at best useless and at worst harmful to a system There are two types of septic system additives biological like bacteria enzymes and yeast and chemical The biological additives are harmless but some chemical additives can potentially harm the soil in the drainfield and contaminate the groundwater While there hasn t been exten sive study on the effectiveness of these products the general consensus among septic system experts is that septic system additives are an unnecessary evil Be aware that the extended use of strong pharmaceuticals and personal care products may harm the working bacteria popu lation in the tank The total effects are unknown at this time National Environmental Services Center 800 624 8301 or 304 293 4191 Maintenance Modern Appliances May Affect Your Septic Tank Hot Tubs Whirlpools Hot tubs and whirlpools have become more common to
11. day in the home as a source of relax ation and therapy While the soothing swirling waters of a spa may be good for a homeowner unfortunately the large amounts of water that drain from the hot tub are not good for your septic system Emptying large quantities of water from a hot tub into your septic system can overload a system and stir the solids in the tank pushing them into the drainfield eventually causing it to fail Hot tub water should instead be cooled and then drained onto turf or landscaped areas of your prop erty well away from the septic tank drainfield and house in accordance with local regulations PIPELINE Fall 2004 Vol 15 No 4 ne Fad Garbage Disposals Garbage disposals can increase the amount of solids in the tank up to 50 percent and should not be used Eliminating a garbage disposal can greatly reduce the amount of grease and solids that enter the drainfield Because a garbage disposal grinds kitchen scraps into small pieces once they reach the septic tank they are suspended in the water Some of these materials are broken down by bacterial action but most of the grindings must be pumped out of the tank As a result use of a garbage disposal will significantly increase the amount of sludge and scum in your septic tank Therefore many states require a larger min imum size septic tank if there will be a garbage grinder disposal unit in operation in the house Water Soften
12. ers Some freshwater purification systems including water softeners needlessly pump hundreds of gallons of water into the septic system all at once This can agi tate the solids and allow excess to flow into the drainfield Consult a plumbing professional about altermtive routing for such freshwater treatment systems Water softeners remove hardness by using a salt to initiate an ion exchange The backwash to regenerate the softener flushes pounds of this used salt into the septic system There is some con cern that these excess salts can affect the digestion in the septic tank or reduce the permeability in the soil dispersal system The Winter 2001 issue of Pipeline gives additional information about water softener use 5 5 National Environmental Services Center 800 624 8301 or 304 293 4191 Maintenance How Your Septic System Works There are two main parts to the basic septic system the septic tank and the drainfield Household wastewater first flows into the septic tank where it should stay for at least a day In the tank heavy solids in the wastewater settle to the bottom forming a layer of sludge and grease and light solids float to the top forming a layer of scum The sludge and scum remain in the tank where naturally occur ring bacteria work to break them down The bacteria cannot com pletely break down all of the sludge and scum however and this is why septic tanks need to be pumped period
13. example it typically costs from 3 000 to 10 000 to replace a failing septic system compared to 100 to 300 aver age per year costs to have a septic system routinely pumped and inspected The second and most important reason to properly maintain your system is the health of your family your community and the envi ronment When septic systems fail inadequately treated house hold wastewater is released into the environment Any contact with untreated human waste can pose a significant risk to public health Untreated wastewater from failing septic systems can contaminate nearby wells groundwater and drinking water sources Chemicals improperly disposed of through a septic system also can pollute local water sources and can contribute to early system failures For this reason it is important for homeowners to educate themselves about what can and what cannot be disposed of through a septic system A third reason to maintain your septic system is to maintain the economic health of your com munity Failing septic systems can cause property values to decline Sometimes building permits cannot be issued for these properties Also failing septic systems may contribute to the pollution of local rivers lakes and shoreline that your community uses for commercial or recreational activities Pipeline is published quarterly by the National Environmental Services Center at West Virgini
14. f you have any questions about reprinting articles or about any of the topics discussed in this newsletter Ra please contact the NESC at 800 624 8301 Maintenance 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 con tractor 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 neces sary 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 mainte nance 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 an
15. ically The separated wastewater in the middle layer of the tank is pushed out into the drainfield as more wastewater enters the septic tank from the house If too much water is flushed into the septic tank in a short period of time the wastewater flows out of the tank before it has had time to separate This can happen on days when water use is unusually high or more often if the septic tank is too small for the needs of the household Homeowners PIPELINE Fall 2004 Vol 15 No 4 should stagger their laundry throughout the week and try to do no more than two wash loads per day When wastewater leaves a septic tank too soon solids can be car ried with it to the drainfield Drainfields provide additional treatment for the wastewater by allowing it to trickle from a series of perforated pipes through a layer of gravel and down through the soil The soil acts as a natural filter and contains organisms that help treat the waste Solids damage the drain field by clogging the small holes in the drainfield pipes and excess water strains the system unnecessarily Conventional septic systems are a very simple way to treat house hold wastewater They contain no moving parts and are easy to operate and maintain Although homeowners must take a more active role in maintaining septic systems once they learn how their systems work it is easy for them to appreciate the impor tance of a few sound operation and maintenan
16. ontam ination of the groundwater source can lead to the pollution of local wells streams lakes and ponds exposing family friends and neighbors to waterborne diseases and other serious health risks When a septic system fails inadequately treated domestic waste can reach the groundwater Bacteria and viruses from human waste can cause dysentery hepa titis and typhoid fever Many serious outbreaks of these diseases have been caused by contaminat ed drinking water Nitrates and phosphates also found in domestic wastewater can cause excessive algae growth in lakes and streams called algal blooms These blooms cause aes thetic problems and impair other aquatic life Nitrate is also the cause of methemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome a condition that prevents the normal uptake of oxygen in the blood of young babies In addition a failing septic system can lead to unpleasant symptoms such as pungent odors and soggy lawns This issue of Pipeline is an update to the Fall 1995 issue Vol 6 No 4 Why Maintain Your System There are three main reasons why septic system maintenance is so important The first reason is money Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace and improper maintenance by homeowners is a common cause of early system failure The mini mal amount of preventative maintenance that septic systems require costs very little in com parison to the cost of a new system For
17. s facial tissues tam pons sanitary napkins cigarette butts dental floss disposable dia pers condoms kitty litter etc The only things that should be flushed down the toilet are waste water and toilet paper When used as recommended by the manufacturer most house hold cleaning products will not adversely affect the operation of your septic tank Drain cleaners are an exception however and only a small amount of these products can kill the bacteria and temporarily disrupt the operation of the tank Household cleaners such as bleach disinfectants and drain and toilet bowl cleaners should be used in moderation and only in accordance with product labels Overuse of these products can harm your system It makes sense to try to keep all toxic and hazardous chemicals out of your septic tank system To avoid disrupt ing or perma nently damaging your septic sys tem do not use it to dispose of hazardous household chemicals Even small amounts of paints varnishes paint thinners waste oil anti freeze photo graphic solutions pharma ceuticals antibacterial soaps gasoline oil pesti cides and other organic chemicals can destroy helpful bacteria and the biological digestion taking place within your system These chemicals also pollute the groundwater Even latex paint is unhealthy for your septic system To reduce the cleanup of these products squeeze all excess paint and stain from brushes an
18. shing machine through a cycle will help to determine if the household plumbing is all going to the system and working correctly 4 Measuring the scum and sludge layers The inspector will measure the scum and sludge layers with spe cial tools inserted through the inspection port A proper inspec tion will also include a visual observation of the scum and sludge layers The sludge layer is the heavier solids that have set tled down to the bottom of the tank The scum layer is made up of grease and light solids that float near the top of the tank If the sludge depth is equal to one third or more of the liquid depth the tank should be pumped Also the tank needs to National Environmental Services Center 800 624 8301 or 304 293 4191 be pumped when it is 1 3 full See the table below for estimated pumping frequencies But be aware it is most prudent to con duct regular inspections and pump when the inspection says the tank needs to be pumped Remember that toxic gases are produced by the natural treat ment processes in septic tanks and can kill in minutes Even looking into the tank can be dangerous Leave inspections to the trained professionals 5 Checking the tank and the drainfield The inspector will check the condition of the baffles or tees the walls of the tank for cracks and the drainfield for any signs of failure If the system includes a Estimated septic tank pumping frequencies
19. yone 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 drain field 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 profes sional licensed onsite contractors when needed Don t use septic tank additives Under normal operating condi tions 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 The Summer 2004 issue of Pipeline provides more information about septic tanks for homeowners 5 7 National Environmental Services Center 800 624 8301 or 304 293 4191 NESC
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