FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DID YOU KNOW...that as a homeowner you're responsible for maintaining your septic system?

From correct water usage to routine pumping your system should work correctly for many years!

Maintaining your septic system protects your investment in your home!

1. HOW DOES MY SEPTIC SYSTEM WORK?

A typical system has 4 main components: a pipe from the home, a septic tank, a drainfield, and the soil. Microbes in the soil remove most contaminants from wastewater before it eventually reaches the groundwater. All of you household wastewater exits your home through a pipe to the septic tank. The septic tank is a buried, watertight container typically made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. It holds the wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle out (forming sludge) and oil and grease to float to the surface (as scum). It also allow partial decomposition of the solid materials. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet in the septic tank prevent the sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drainfield area. Screens are also recommended to keep solids from entering the drainfield.

2. HOW DO I FIND MY SEPTIC SYSTEM?

Your septic tank, drainfield and reserve drainfield should be clearly designated on the "as-built: drawing for your home". (An "as-built" drawing is a line drawing that accurately portrays the buildings on your property and is usually filed in your local land records.) You might also see lids or manhole covers for your septic tank. Older tanks are often hard to find because there are no visible parts. An inspector/pumper can help you locate your septic system if your septic tank has no risers by using a probe. New tanks generally have risers with lids at the ground surface to allow for easy location, inspection and pumping of the tank.

3. HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE MY SEPTIC TANK PUMPED?

To prevent build-up, sludge and floating scum need to be removed through periodic pumping of the septic tank. Regular inspections and pumping at least every 2 years are the best and cheapest ways to keep your septic system in good working order. Why do I need regular pumping, a friend of mine hasn't pumped his tank in 20 years and never had a problem? While some homeowners claim they have never had problems and never had to be pumped out, they are slowly damaging the drainfield. The purpose of the septic tank is to hold the solids. The purpose of the drainfield is to distribute the liquid evenly for the ground to absorb and treat. When a septic tank is used for years and years without being pumped out, the solids build up to a point where the tank can no longer hold it all. The oslids now begin to flow out of the tank to the drainfield. This clogs the rock, stone & sand that are meant to distribute the liquid. It doesn't happen over night, but the damage is being done. When that homeowner finally calls and says "It's time to have my septic tank pumped", it's usually too late.

4. HOW DO I CARE FOR MY DRAINFIELD?

Your drainfield is an important part of your septic system. Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs might clog and damage the drainfield. Don't drive or park vehicles on any part of the system. Doing so can compact the soil in your drainfield or damage the pipes, tank or other components. Keep roof drains, basement sump pump drains and other rainwater or surface water drainage systems away from your drainfield. Flooding the drainfield with excessive water slow down or stops treatment processes and can cause plumbing fixtures to back-up. Keep an eye on your water usage.

5. WHAT CAN MAKE MY SYSTEM FAIL?

If the amount of wastewater entering the system is more than the system can handle, the wastewater backs up into the house or yard and creates a health hazard. You can suspect a system failure not only when a foul odor is emitted but also when partially treated wastewater flows up to the ground surface. By the time you can smell or see a problem, however, the damage might already be done. By limiting water use, you can reduce the amount of wastewater you system must treat. When you have your system inspected and pumped as needed, you reduce the chance of system failure. A system installed in unsuitable soils can also fail. Other failure risks include tanks that inaccessible for maintenance, drainfields that are paved or parked on and tree roots or defective components that interfere with the treatment process.

6. HOW CAN I TELL IF MY SYSTEM IS FAILING?

The most obvious septic system failures are easy to spot. Check for pooling water or muddy soil around your septic system or in your basement. Notice whether your toilet or sink backs up when you flush or do laundry. You might also notice strips of bright green grass over the drainfield. Septic systems also fail when partially treated wastewater comes into contact with ground water. This type of failure is not easy to detect, but it can result in the pollution of wells, nearby streams or other bodies of water.