Septic Tank Care

Learn about your household sewage system. Obtain and keep a sketch of the system with a detailed record of repairs, pumping, inspections, and other maintenance activities.

Have your household sewage system inspected and maintained regularly.

Keep your septic tank cover accessible for inspection and cleaning. Install risers if necessary.

Call a registered sewage system contractor or your local health department if you experience problems or if there are any signs of system failure.

Always obtain required permits when making or allowing repairs to your system.

Divert sources of water, like roof drains, footer drains, and sump pumps away from the system. Excess water saturates the soil leading to system failure.

Keep a good vegetative cover over the system in order to help remove excess water and prevent erosion.

Do Not allow anyone to drive or park anything over any part of the septic system.
Never dig or build anything over your system. This includes hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt.
Conserve water to avoid overloading the system. Promptly repair leaky faucets or toilets, and install water saving devices.

Don't use septic tank additives. These products usually do not help and can be harmful to the operation of your system.

Eliminate or reduce the use of a garbage disposal. The additional waste produced by a garbage disposal will lead to extra maintenance requirements.

Don't use you toilet or disposal as a trash can. Coffee grounds, dental floss, disposable diapers, kitty litter, sanitary napkins, tampons, cigarette butts, condoms, fat, grease, oil, automotive fluids and paper towels should never be disposed of in the system.

Never pour chemicals or cleaners such as paints, varnishes, thinners and pesticides down the drain/toilet. Harsh chemicals can kill beneficial bacteria that treat wastewater.

Never climb down into a septic tank. The natural treatment process in septic tanks produces toxic gases that can kill.