How To Care For Your Septic System:

​​​​CONSERVE WATER WHENEVER POSSIBLE:

• Check faucet and toilets for leaks.

• Use aerators on faucets and flow reducer nozzles on showers to help lower water consumption.

• Reduce water levels for small loads of laundry or consider buying energy-efficient appliances.

• Wait until the dishwasher is full to run it or try a shorter dishwasher cycle, which uses less water.

• Do not do several loads of laundry in a single day, but spread it out over several days.

DO NOT USE TOILET AS A GARBAGE DISPOSAL:

• Never flush cat litter, diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, paper towels, facial tissues, coffee grounds, or cigarette butts down the toilet.​
  

• Avoid disposal of medication down drains or toilet (kills biology). 

• A garbage disposal can double the amount of solids added to a septic tank. Do not dispose of large amounts of foods down drain. Use mesh drain strainer to help catch solids to throw in garbage can.
  

​DO NOT POUR GREASE DOWN THE DRAIN:

• Grease can clog the septic drain field, making it impossible for soil to absorb liquids. If you pour too much grease down the drain, you’ll need a new drain field, which can be costly.

 DIVERT RAINWATER FROM THE SEPTIC DRAIN FIELD:

• A saturated drain field will not absorb and neutralize liquid waste.

• Plan landscaping, roof gutters, and foundation drains so that excess water is diverted away from the septic drain field.

KEEP TREES AWAY FROM THE SEPTIC SYSTEM:

• Discourage root damage be keeping trees at least 100 feet away from the septic system.

• Trees with very aggressive roots, such as willows and oaks, should be even further away from the system.
  

​MINIMIZE HEAVY DUTY CLEANERS:

• Overuse of heavy-duty cleaners kills beneficial bacterial in the septic tank, so solids will not break down as well.

• Varnish, paint thinners, motor oils, gasoline and other similar chemicals can ruin your system and are a hazard to groundwater.

PROTECT THE SYSTEM FROM DAMAGE:

• Do not drive over the drain field, build a structure on top of it, or cover it with concrete of asphalt.

• Plant grass or lay sod on drain field to stabilize and minimize soil erosion.

PERFORM REGULAR MAINTENANCE:

• Solids must eventually be pumped from the septic tank. Many experts advise a family of four with a 1,000-gallon septic tank to have the tank pumped after three to five years of full-time use.

• Never attempt to open a septic tank yourself. It contains dangerous gasses and bacteria.

• Call your septic professional the first sign of problems.

• Septic tank filters should be cleaned on a yearly basis.

• Add PRO-PUMP liquid live bacteria to speed and assure continued microbial performance.