maintaining your septic system—a guide for homeowners

uried beneath yourback yard, it is outthere—constantlyworking. When

you’re at work, it is working.When you’re eating dinner, itcontinues working. And whenyou’re sleeping, it’s still out therein the dark—working. What isit? Your septic system. It may bethe most overlooked and under-valued utility in your home; butwith proper care and mainte-nance, your septic system cancontinue to work for you for atleast 25 to 30 years.

If you are like most homeowners,you probably never give muchthought to what happens whenwaste goes down your drain. Butif you rely on a septic system totreat and dispose of your house-hold wastewater, what you don’tknow can hurt you.

Proper operation and mainte-nance of your septic system can

Why Maintain Your SystemThere are three main reasonswhy septic system maintenance isso important. The first reason ismoney. Failing septic systems areexpensive to repair or replace,and improper maintenance byhomeowners is a common causeof early system failure. The mini-mal amount of preventativemaintenance that septic systemsrequire costs very little in com-parison to the cost of a new system. For example, it typicallycosts from $3,000 to $10,000 toreplace a failing septic system,compared to $100 to $300 aver-age per year costs to have a septicsystem routinely pumped andi n s p e c t e d .

The second and most importantreason to properly maintain yoursystem is the health of your family,your community, and the envi-ronment. When septic systemsfail, inadequately treated house-hold wastewater is released intothe environment. Any contactwith untreated human waste canpose a significant risk to publichealth. Untreated wastewaterfrom failing septic systems cancontaminate nearby wells,g r o u n d w a t e r, and drinking waters o u r c e s .

Small Community Wastewater Issues Explained to the Public

BMaintaining Your Septic System—A Guide For Homeowners

have a significant impact on howwell it works and how long itlasts, and in most communities,septic system maintenance is theresponsibility of the homeowner.

Preventing groundwater pollutionfrom failing septic systems shouldbe a priority for every communityand every homeowner. Contam-ination of the groundwater sourcecan lead to the pollution of localwells, streams, lakes, and ponds—exposing family, friends, andneighbors to waterborne diseasesand other serious health risks.

When a septic system fails, inadequately treated domesticwaste can reach the groundwater.Bacteria and viruses from humanwaste can cause dysentery, hepa-titis, and typhoid fever. Manyserious outbreaks of these diseaseshave been caused by contaminat-ed drinking water.

Nitrates and phosphates, alsofound in domestic wastewater,can cause excessive algae growthin lakes and streams called algalblooms. These blooms cause aes-thetic problems and impair otheraquatic life. Nitrate is also thecause of methemoglobinemia, orblue baby syndrome, a conditionthat prevents the normal uptakeof oxygen in the blood of youngbabies.

In addition, a failing septic systemcan lead to unpleasant symptoms,such as pungent odors and soggyl a w n s .

FALL 2004Vol. 15, No. 4

Maintaining Your Septic System. . . .1

What Not to Flush. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

M o d e rn Appliances that Affect Septic Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

H ow Your Septic System Wo rk s. . . .6

Use Water Wisely All Around the House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Septic System Dos and Don’ts . . . . . .7

Related Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

What’s Inside...

M a i n t e n a n c e

Chemicals improperly disposedof through a septic system alsocan pollute local water sourcesand can contribute to early system failures. For this reason it is important for homeownersto educate themselves aboutwhat can and what cannot bedisposed of through a septic system.

A third reason to maintain yourseptic system is to maintain theeconomic health of your com-munity. Failing septic systemscan cause property values todecline. Sometimes building permits cannot be issued forthese properties. Also, failing septic systems may contribute tothe pollution of local rivers,lakes, and shoreline that yourcommunity uses for commercialor recreational activities.

2PIPELINE – Fall 2004; Vol.15, No. 4 National Environmental Services Center (800) 624-8301 or (304) 293-4191

How to Maintain Your SystemSeptic system maintenance isoften compared to automobilemaintenance 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 septic system are recommendedto ensure that it is working prop-erly and to determine when theseptic tank should be pumped.Systems that have moving partsmay require more frequentinspections. By having your system inspected and pumpedregularly, you can prevent thehigh cost of septic system failure.

A professional contractor can doa thorough inspection of theentire system and check forcracked pipes and the conditionof the tees or baffles and otherparts of the system.

A thorough septic system inspec-tion will include the followingsteps:

1. Locating the system.Even a professional may havetrouble locating the system if theaccess to your tank is buried. Oneway to start looking is to go inthe basement and determine thedirection the sewer pipe goes outthrough the wall. Back outside,the inspector will use an insulatedprobe inserted into the soil to

locate the buried piping. Oncethe system components arefound, be sure to sketch a mapand keep it on hand to save timeon future service visits.

2. Uncovering the manholeand inspection ports.This may require some digging inthe yard. If they are buried, itwill help future inspections if elevated access covers or risersare installed to make it easier toaccess the ports and manhole.

3. Checking connections.Flushing the toilets, running waterin the sinks, running the washingmachine through a cycle will helpto determine if the householdplumbing is all going to the system and working correctly.

4. Measuring the scum andsludge layers.The inspector will measure thescum and sludge layers with spe-cial tools inserted through theinspection port. A proper inspec-tion will also include a visualobservation of the scum andsludge layers. (The sludge layer isthe heavier solids that have set-tled down to the bottom of thetank. The scum layer is made upof grease and light solids thatfloat near the top of the tank.)

If the sludge depth is equal toone third or more of the liquiddepth, the tank should bepumped. Also, the tank needs to

Pipeline is published quarterly by the National Environmental Services Center

at West Virginia University,P.O. Box 6064, Morgantown, WV 26506-6064

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.

Printed on recycled paper

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Washington, D.C.

Steve Hogye—Project OfficerMunicipal Support Division

Office of Wastewater Management

National Small Flows ClearinghouseWest Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

Rick Phalunas — IEDMarilyn Noah — Editor

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Permission to quote from or reproduce articles in this publication 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.

Water Use Around The Home

Toilets

Laundry & Dishes

Drinking & Cooking

Bathing

45%

30%

20%

5%

an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution


distribution box, drop box, orpump, these need to be checked too.

How often the tank needs to bepumped depends on the tanksize, the number of people livingin your home, and the habits ofyour particular household.Garbage disposals and high-water-use appliances, such as ahot tub or whirlpool, also affectthe pumping frequency.

When it’s time to pump, be sureto hire a licensed contractor. Heor she will have the appropriateequipment and will dispose ofthe sludge at an approved treat-ment site. You can find listingsfor licensed pumpers and haulersin the yellow pages, or contactyour local health department orpermitting agency for assistance.

It’s a good idea to bepresent when yourtank is beingpumped. Make surethat the contractoruses the manhole,not the inspectionports, to pump thetank to avoid dam-aging the baffles ortees. Also make sureall of the material inthe tank is removed.It is not necessary toleave anything inthe tank to “restart”the biologicalprocesses, but it isalso not necessary toscrub or disinfect thetank.

Pumping your septictank is probably thesingle most impor-tant thing that youcan do to protectyour system. If thebuildup of solids inthe tank becomestoo high and solidsmove to the drain-

field, this could clog and strainthe system to the point where anew drainfield will be needed.

RecordkeepingIt is very important to keep adetailed record of all inspections,pumpings, permits, repairs, andany other maintenance to yoursystem along with a sketch ofwhere your septic system is located. Having this informationon hand for service visits cansave you both time and money.

Learn the location of your septic system, and keep a dia-gram or sketch of it with yourmaintenance records.

Inspecting your septic systemannually is a good way to monitor your system‘s health.Inspections can reveal problemsbefore they become serious, andby checking the levels of sludgeand scum in your tank, you canget a more accurate idea of howoften it should be pumped.

Protect the tank and drainfieldProtect your septic system frompotential damage. Don’t plantanything but grass near yourseptic system—roots from shrubsand trees can cause damage—and don’t allow anyone to driveor operate heavy machinery overany part of the system. Also,don’t build anything over thedrainfield. Grass is the mostappropriate cover for the drainfield.

Sound septic system operationand maintenance practicesinclude conserving water, beingcareful that nothing harmful isdisposed of through the system,and having the system inspectedannually and pumped regularly.

By educating everyone in yourhousehold about what is andwhat isn’t good for septic systems,they can begin to develop goodmaintenance habits.

3

Tank

Size

(gals.)

Household Size

(number of people)

1 2 3 4 5 6

500 5.8 2.6 1.5 1.0 0.7 0.4

750 9.1 4.2 2.6 1.8 1.3 1.0

900 11.0 5.2 3.3 2.3 1.7 1.3

1000 12.4 5.9 3.7 2.6 2.0 1.5

1250 15.6 7.5 4.8 3.4 2.6 2.0

1500 18.9 9.1 5.9 4.2 3.3 2.6

1750 22.1 10.7 6.9 5.0 3.9 3.1

2000 25.4 12.4 8.0 5.9 4.5 3.7

2250 28.6 14.0 9.1 6.7 5.2 4.2

2500 31.9 15.6 10.2 7.5 5.9 4.8

PIPELINE – Fall 2004; Vol.15, No. 4 National Environmental Services Center (800) 624-8301 or (304) 293-4191

Estimated septic tank pumping frequencies inyears. These figures assume there is no garbagedisposal unit in use. If one is in use, pumping frequency may need to be increased.(Source: Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension Service.)

Figure 1.

be pumped when it is 1/3 full.See the table below for estimatedpumping frequencies. But beaware it is most prudent to con-duct regular inspections andpump when the inspection saysthe tank needs to be pumped.

Remember that toxic gases areproduced by the natural treat-ment processes in septic tanksand can kill in minutes. Evenlooking into the tank can be dangerous. Leave inspections tothe trained professionals.

5. Checking the tank and thedrainfield.The inspector will check the condition of the baffles or tees,the walls of the tank for cracks,and the drainfield for any signsof failure. If the system includes a


the groundwater.

Even latex paint is unhealthy foryour septic system. To reduce thecleanup of these products,squeeze all excess paint and stainfrom brushes and rollers on several layers of newspaperbefore rinsing.

To help prevent groundwater pollution, be sure to dispose ofleftover hazardous chemicals bytaking them to an approved hazardous waste collection center. For more information,contact your local health department.

Additives/System CleanersWhile many products on themarket claim to help septic systems work better, the truth isthere is no magic potion to curean ailing system. In fact, mostengineers and sanitation profes-sionals believe that commercialseptic system additives are, atbest, useless, and at worst, harmful to a system.

There are two types of septic system additives: biological (likebacteria, enzymes, and yeast) andchemical. The biological additivesare harmless but some chemicaladditives can potentially harmthe soil in the drainfield and contaminate the groundwater.

While there hasn’t been exten-sive study on the effectivenessof these products, the generalconsensus among septic systemexperts is that septic system additives are an unnecessary evil.

Be aware that the extended useof strong pharmaceuticals andpersonal care products mayharm the working bacteria popu-lation in the tank. The totaleffects are unknown at this time.

the toilet to dispose of plastics,paper towels, facial tissues, tam-pons, sanitary napkins, cigarettebutts, dental floss, disposable dia-pers, condoms, kitty litter, etc.The only things that should beflushed down the toilet are waste-water and toilet paper.

When used as recommended bythe manufacturer, most house-hold cleaning products will notadversely affect the operation ofyour septic tank. Drain cleanersare an exception, however, andonly a small amount of theseproducts can kill the bacteria andtemporarily disrupt the operationof the tank.

Household cleaners such asbleach, disinfectants, and drainand toilet bowl cleaners shouldbe used in moderation and onlyin accordance with productlabels. Overuse of these productscan harm your system. It makessense to try to keep all toxic andhazardous chemicals out of your

septic tank system.

To avoid disrupt-ing or perma-nently damagingyour septic sys-tem, do not useit to dispose of hazardoushouseholdchemicals.

Even smallamounts of paints,

varnishes, paint thinners,waste oil, anti-freeze, photo-

graphic solutions, pharma-ceuticals, antibacterialsoaps, gasoline, oil, pesti-cides, and other organicchemicals can destroy

helpful bacteria and thebiological digestion taking

place within your system.These chemicals also pollute

What you put into your septicsystem greatly affects its abilityto do its job. Remember, yourseptic system contains livingorganisms that digest and treatwaste. As a general rule ofthumb, do not dispose of anything in your septic systemthat can just as easily be put inthe trash. Your system is notdesigned to be a garbage canand solids build up in the septictank that will eventually need tobe pumped. The more solids thatgo into the tank, the more frequently the tank will need tobe pumped, and the higher therisk for problems to arise.

In the kitchen, avoid washingfood scraps, coffee grinds, andother food items down the drain.Grease and cooking oils con-tribute to the layer of scum in thetank and also should not be putdown the drain.

The same common-senseapproach used in the kitchenshould be used in the bathroom.Don’t use

What Not To Flush

PIPELINE – Fall 2004; Vol.15, No. 4 National Environmental Services Center (800) 624-8301 or (304) 293-4191

4



Modern Appliances May Affect Your Septic Tank

Garbage DisposalsGarbage disposals can increasethe amount of solids in the tankup to 50 percent and should notbe used. Eliminating a garbagedisposal can greatly reduce theamount of grease and solids thatenter the drainfield.

Because a garbage disposalgrinds kitchen scraps into smallpieces, once they reach the septictank, they are suspended in thewater. Some of these materialsare broken down by bacterialaction, but most of the grindingsmust be pumped out of the tank.

As a result, use of a garbage disposal will significantly increasethe amount of sludge and scumin your septic tank. Therefore,many states require a larger min-imum size septic tank if there willbe a garbage grinder/disposalunit in operation in the house.

Hot Tubs/WhirlpoolsHot tubs and whirlpools havebecome more common today inthe home as a source of relax-ation and therapy. While thesoothing, swirling waters of a spamay be good for a homeowner,unfortunately, the large amountsof water that drain from the hottub are not good for your septicsystem.

Emptying large quantities ofwater from a hot tub into yourseptic system can overload a system and stir the solids in thetank, pushing them into thedrainfield, eventually causing itto fail.

Hot tub water should instead becooled and then drained onto turfor landscaped areas of your prop-erty well away from the septictank, drainfield, and house inaccordance with local regulations.

Water SoftenersSome freshwater purification systems, including water softeners,needlessly pump hundreds ofgallons of water into the septicsystem all at once. This can agi-tate the solids and allow excess toflow into the drainfield. Consult aplumbing professional abouta l t e rnative routing for such freshwater treatment systems.

Water softeners remove hardnessby using a salt to initiate an ionexchange. The backwash toregenerate the softener flushespounds of this used salt into theseptic system. There is some con-cern that these excess salts canaffect the digestion in the septictank or reduce the permeabilityin the soil dispersal system.

The Winter 2001 issue of Pipelinegives additional informationabout water softener use.



There are two main parts to thebasic septic system: the septictank and the drainfield.

Household wastewater first flowsinto the septic tank where itshould stay for at least a day. Inthe tank, heavy solids in thewastewater settle to the bottomforming a layer of sludge, andgrease and light solids float tothe top forming a layer of scum.

The sludge and scum remain inthe tank where naturally occur-ring bacteria work to break themdown. The bacteria cannot com-pletely break down all of thesludge and scum, however, andthis is why septic tanks need tobe pumped periodically.

The separated wastewater in themiddle layer of the tank ispushed out into the drainfield asmore wastewater enters the septictank from the house. If too muchwater is flushed into the septictank in a short period of time,the wastewater flows out of thetank before it has had time toseparate. This can happen ondays when water use is unusuallyhigh, or more often if the septictank is too small for the needs ofthe household. Homeowners

How Your Septic System Worksshould stagger their laundrythroughout the week and try todo no more than two wash loadsper day.

When wastewater leaves a septictank too soon, solids can be car-ried with it to the drainfield.Drainfields provide additionaltreatment for the wastewater byallowing it to trickle from a seriesof perforated pipes, through alayer of gravel, and downthrough the soil. The soil acts asa natural filter and containsorganisms that help treat thewaste. Solids damage the drain-field by clogging the small holesin the drainfield pipes, andexcess water strains the systemunnecessarily.

Conventional septic systems area very simple way to treat house-hold wastewater. They containno moving parts and are easy tooperate and maintain. Althoughhomeowners must take a moreactive role in maintaining septicsystems, once they learn howtheir systems work, it is easy forthem to appreciate the impor-tance of a few sound operationand maintenance practices.

Water conservation is veryimportant for septic systemsbecause continual saturation ofthe soil in the drainfield canaffect the quality of the soil andits ability to naturally removetoxics, bacteria, viruses, andother pollutants from the waste-water.

The most effective way to con-serve water around the house isto first take stock of how it isbeing wasted. Immediately repairany leaking faucets or runningtoilets, and use dishwashers onlywhen full.

LaundryYou can also cut down on wateruse by selecting the proper loadsize for your washing machine.Washing small loads of laundrywith large quantities of water is awaste of both water and energy.

Also doing laundry all in oneday might seem like a good useof time, but it could be harmfulto your septic system. By doingseveral loads in succession, theseptic system does not have timeto adequately treat wastes. Youmight be hydraulically overload-ing your septic system, causing itto pass solids into the drainfield.

Newer energy-efficientclothes washers use 35percent less energyand 50 percent lesswater than a standard

model. Look for appliances thatdisplay the Energy Star symbol.This indicates they meet strict

Use Water Wisely AllAround The House


7

*Do learn the location of yourseptic tank and drainfield. Keep a sketch of it handy with yourmaintenance record for servicevisits.

*Do have your septic systeminspected annually.

*Do have your septic tankpumped out by a licensed con-tractor, approximately everythree to five years, or as often asis appropriate for your system

*Do keep your septic tank coveraccessible for inspections andpumping. Install risers if neces-sary.

*Do call a professional wheneveryou experience problems withyour system, or if there are anysigns of system failure.

*Do keep a detailed record ofrepairs, pumping, inspections,permits issued, and other mainte-nance activities.

*Do conserve water to avoidoverloading the system. Be sureto repair any leaky faucets or toilets.

*Do divert other sources ofwater, like roof drains, housefooting drains, and sump pumps,away from the septic system.Excessive water keeps the soil in the drainfield from naturallycleansing the wastewater.

*Don’t go down into a septictank. Toxic gases are produced bythe natural treatment processesin septic tanks and can kill inminutes. Extreme care should betaken when inspecting a septictank, even when just looking in.

*Don’t allow anyone to drive orpark over any part of the system.

*Don’t plant anything over ornear the drainfield except grass.Roots from nearby trees or shrubsmay clog and damage the drainlines.

*Don’t dig in your drainfield orbuild anything over it, and don’tcover the drainfield with a hardsurface such as concrete orasphalt. The area over the drain-field should have only a grasscover. The grass will not only prevent erosion, but will helpremove excess water.

*Don’t make or allow repairs toyour septic system withoutobtaining the required healthdepartment permit. Use profes-sional licensed onsite contractorswhen needed.

*Don’t use septic tank additives.Under normal operating condi-tions, these products usually donot help and some may even beharmful to your system.

*Don’t use your toilet as a trashcan or poison your septic systemand the groundwater by pouringharmful chemicals and cleansersdown the drain. Harsh chemicalscan kill the beneficial bacteriathat treat your wastewater.

*Don’t use a garbage disposalwithout checking with your localregulatory agency to make surethat your septic system canaccommodate this additionalwaste.

*Don’t allow backwash fromhome water softeners to enter theseptic system.

energy efficiency guidelines setby the EPA and the U.S.Department of Energy.

Use only nonphosphate or lowphosphate laundry detergents.Powder detergents with low inert(clay) content are also easier onthe septic system.

BathroomsIn a typical household, most ofthe water used indoors is used in the bathroom, and there areseveral little things that can bedone to conserve water there.

For example, try to avoid lettingwater run while washing handsand brushing teeth. Avoid takinglong showers and install water-saving features in faucets andshower heads. These devices canreduce water use by up to 50 per-cent. Low-flush toilets use 1.6gallons per flush compared to thethree to five gallons used by con-ventional toilets. Even using atoilet dam or putting a containerfilled 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 lotof water in a short time period,or by allowing too much outsidewater to reach the drainfield. Tryto space out activities requiringheavy water use over severaldays. Also, divert roof drains, surface water, and sump pumps

away from thedrainfield.

National Environmental Services Center (800) 624-8301 or (304) 293-4191

ReprintInfo

Readers are encouraged toreprint Pipeline articles in local

newspapers or include them in fly-ers, newsletters, or educational pre-

sentations. Please include the name andphone number of the National

Environmental Service Center (NESC) onthe reprinted information and send us a

copy for our files. If you have any questionsabout reprinting articles or about any ofthe topics discussed in this newsletter,

please contact the NESC at (800) 624-8301.

Septic System Dos and Don’ts

The Summer 2004 issue of Pipeline provides moreinformation about septic tanks for homeowners.

Conventional Onsite Sewage Disposal

System: Your Septic System, What it

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Your Septic System: A Guide for

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Pumping Your Septic Tank. Brochure.

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Septic System Maintenance.

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Onsite Wastewater Treatment

Systems: Operation and Maintenance.

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Homeowner’s Manual for the

Operation, Monitoring, and

Maintenance of a Gravity Onsite

Sewage Treatment and Disposal

System Manual.

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Maintenance of a Proprietary Device

Onsite Sewage Treatment and

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Maintenance of a Pressure

Distribution Onsite Sewage Treatment

and Disposal System Manual.

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Homeowner’s Septic Tank Information

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Homeowner Onsite System

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NESC Products related to Septic Systems

These products may be ordered by calling us at (800) 624-8301.

maintaining your septic system—a guide for homeowners

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