Septic System Tips

1. Do have your tank pumped out as recommended by number of occupants.
2. Do keep a record of pumping, inspections, and other maintenance.
3. Do practice water conservation. Repair dripping faucets and leaking toilets. Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full. Avoid long showers and use water-saving features in faucets, shower heads and toilets.
4. Do learn the location of your septic system and drainfields. Keep a sketch of it handy for service visits.
5. Do divert roof drains and surface water from driveways and hillsides away from the septic system.
6. Do take leftover hazardous household chemicals to your approved hazardous waste collection center for disposal. Use bleach, disinfectants and drain and toilet bowl cleaners sparingly and in accordance with product labels.

1. Don’t allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the septic system. The area over the drainfield should be left undisturbed with only mowed grass cover.
2. Don’t plant trees or shrubs near the septic system. Roots can clog and damage your septic tank as well as your drain lines.
3. Don’t use commercial septic tank additives. These products usually do not help and some may hurt your system in the long run.
4. Don’t use powdered detergents. Example; for the washing machine. Only use Liquid Detergents. The powdered detergents do not break up in the water. They only clump up.
5. Don’t deposit coffee grounds, cooking fats (grease can build up in the tank and pipes and plug the inlet), paper towels, cat litter box, facial tissues, cigarette butts.
6. Don’t use your toilet as a trash can by dumping non-degradables down your toilet and drains.

Also, do not poison your septic system and the groundwater by pouring harmful chemicals down the drain. They can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater. Keep the following materials, nondegradables: grease, disposable diapers, plastics, wet wipes etc and Poisons: gasoline,  oil, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, antifreeze, etc out of your septic system.

Do not plan to locate the septic tank or drain field under a patio, garage, storage building, driveway, parking lot, sidewalk, or other paved area.