- Don’t route surface water drainage toward your absorption field. Snowmelt, rain, and other surface runoff can temporarily inundate your field.
- Install a lint trap on your washing machine. Lint will clog the pipes in the absorption field.
- Look for areas in your lawn that remain moist during dry times. Check for excessive grass or plant growth. If you live near a creek, river or lake, check for excessive plant and algae growth along the shoreline. If you see signs of failure, schedule an inspection and necessary repairs immediately.
- Don’t plant anything over the disposal field except grass, and be especially careful not to cover the tank or field with asphalt, concrete or other impermeable material.
- Make sure your septic is located an appropriate distance from your well.
- Don’t hire just anyone to service your septic system. Incomplete treatment of wastewater can result in the spread of hepatitis, dysentery, and other diseases caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the wastewater.
- Use low flush toilets and showerheads to conserve water.
- Dont attempt to open a septic tank yourself. Gases and bacteria in it are dangerous.
- Keep trees and shrubs at least 35 feet away from your field to prevent roots from plugging or breaking pipes.
- Read product labels! Use low phosphorus detergents and cleaning products whenever possible. Phosphorus is the nutrient most likely to cause damage to a lake after leaving your septic system.
- Use toilet paper that decomposes easily. Purchase brands labeled “safe” for septic systems.
- Insert a water displacement bag inside the toilet tank of older, less efficient toilets to reduce the amount of water used per flush.
Septic Tips
March 19, 2011