10 Do’s
- Do spread out your laundry loads; do laundry on different days of the week, rather than all at once
- Do use single ply toilet paper
- Do Check for leaky fixtures
- Do compost kitchen waste
- Do remove or prevent trees with large root systems growing near the leach field
- Do use liquid laundry soap
- Do make sure your Water Treatment Device (water softener) isn’t adding excess water to your septic tank
- Do ensure rain water and runoff is diverted away from your septic tank
- Do have your septic tank pumped as required. A home with 4 occupants and a 1,500 gallon septic tank should have the tank pumped every 4.2 years. As directed by NAWT (National Association of Wastewater Technicians)
- Do make a permanent record of where the key parts of your septic system are located
10 Don’ts
- Don’t overload the septic system with high volumes of water
- Don’t use powdered laundry soap
- Don’t use bleach
- Don’t put flushable wipes, feminine products, diapers or paper towels into your tank
- Don’t use anti-bacterial soaps
- Don’t flush prescription medications (Namely antibiotics)
- Don’t drain paints or chemicals down sinks or toilets
- Don’t use garbage disposals (Undigested food takes the bacteria longer to break down). Tanks serving homes with garbage disposals should be pumped twice as often
- Don’t dispose of fats and grease down drains
- Above all else- DON’T wait for signs of failure. Have your tank checked regularly!!!