-
Do
learn the location of your septic system. Keep a to-scale
drawing of your septic layout handy for future use.
•
Do
have your system inspected annually.
•
Do
have your septic tank pumped out regularly by a registered sewage
tank cleaner every 3 to 5 years.
•
Do
keep your septic tank cover accessible for inspections and
pumpings. Install risers if necessary.
•
Do
call the Health Dept. or a registered sewage installer if you are
experiencing problems.
•
Do
keep a detailed record of all repairs, pumpings, inspections,
permits issued, or other maintenance activities.
•
Do
conserve water to avoid over saturation. Be sure to repair any
leaky faucets or toilets.
•
Do
divert all other sources of water away from your leach field, like
sump pump drains, roof drains, and neighboring run-offs. Grade
your landscape accordingly.
•
Don’t
go down into a septic tank. Toxic gases are produced naturally by
the treatment process that goes on inside of the tank and can kill
in minutes. Extreme care should be taken when inspecting a septic
tank, even when just looking in.
•
Don’t
do all of your laundry in one day. The amount of liquid entering
the system all at once may be too excessive for your system to
handle.
•
Don’t
use septic tank additives. These products usually do not help and
some may be harmful to your system.
•
Don’t
dump pesticides, herbicides, paints, automobile fluids, household
chemicals, antibiotics or any other toxins into the system, they
may kill or disrupt active bacteria.
•
Don’t
use a garbage disposal. They increase the loading of suspended
solids, nutrients, and BOD to septic systems, as well as
increasing the amount of solids in the tank, thus increasing
pumping frequency.
•
Don’t
pave or construct anything over the leach bed—it requires air to
function properly. The leach bed should only have grass cover.
The grass helps prevent erosion as well as aiding in the
transpiration process.
•
Don’t
use fabric softener; this also disrupts the natural bacteria
process occurring in the tank. Instead substitute the liquid with
fabric softener dryer sheets.
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