Septic System?

Septic systems do not cause water pollution when they are functioning properly. However, a septic system that is not maintained can pose a threat to human health by releasing harmful pathogens potentially resulting in water pollution. If these pathogens come into contact with a watercourse, they can be spread to other areas. Failing septic systems are a leading cause of waterborne disease outbreaks. Having your septic tank pumped regularly and inspected for leaks and cracks can prevent septic system failure.

Failing Septic System

Best Practices:

• Have your septic tank pumped and system inspected every 3 years to ensure optimum operation. Septic seepage poses human health risks by releasing harmful pathogens into the water table and nearby watercourses.
• Never flush harmful materials into your septic system. They will enter the environment through the drainage field and potentially contaminate ground water or near by streams/marine waters.
• Never flush nonbiodegradable materials such as oil, grease, plastic products, rags, sanitary napkins and cigarette butts. They do not decompose well, often clogging the septic tank's pipes, increasing the frequency of cleaning or costly repairs. Avoid putting liquid grease down the kitchen sink drain as it solidifies it may cause blockage of the pipes in the system. These materials reduce the septic systems ability to properly treat wastewater from your home and potentially allow contaminates to enter ground water or near by streams/marine waters.
• Keep runoff from roofs, driveways and patios away from the septic tank and drainage field. The soil in the septic area ordinarily absorbs the effluent from the septic tank. If the soil is wet or saturated with unnecessary rain water runoff, it may not be able to handle the tank effluent. This may result in septic failure and the tank effluent may back up onto the ground surface.
• Do not plant trees or shrubs near or over the septic drainage field. The roots of trees and shrubs can clog the pipes and fittings of the system reducing the septic systems ability to properly treat wastewater from your home and potentially allow contaminates to enter ground water or near by streams/marine waters. When planting new trees consider their location and their distance from your septic tank and drainage field. Grass is the best natural cover for a septic tank system.
• Keep heavy equipment, vehicles and livestock off of the drainage field. The pressure can compact the soil and damage the pipes.
•  Do not construct any permanent structure such as a garages, patio or swimming pools, over the drainage field, or within 7 meters of any component of the drainage field.
• Practice water conservation. By reducing water use you reduce the demand on your septic system and on the soil treating your wastewater. This will extend the life of your septic system and safe guard the environment from septic seepage.