Septic Help

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OWNERS
OF SEPTIC AND ONSITE TREATMENT SYSTEMS
Items to Avoid in an Onsite System

Many operational problems exist today because owners are unaware of the results of their daily practices and uses to these systems. NOWRA’s goal is to ensure that owners are educated and informed about the safe practices for their treatment systems, in order to avoid costly repairs, to protect groundwater quality and safeguard their financial investment.

The items listed below are known to cause failures of onsite treatment and septic systems. They must be considered if waste generated by or from a particular site occurs in excessive quantities. Since excessive is a subjective word, NOWRA highly recommends that you share concerns with your Wastewater Professional to come up with a treatment strategy for your particular needs. A list of NOWRA member professional services and products can be found at www.septiclocator.com

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Your septic system, also known as an onsite wastewater treatment system, relies on microbial action to treat the wastewater from your home, business and other dwellings. There are a broad range of technologies used today for onsite wastewater treatment. These systems range from a conventional septic tank and drain field, to advanced treatment technologies with surface discharge. Abusing your system with the following products and practices may affect the peformance of your system and result in costly repairs.

Inert Materials: Plastic, rubber, scouring pads, dental floss, kitty litter, cigarette filters, bandages, hair, mop strings, lint and tags do not degrade in an onsite treatment system. These materials build up solids, and lead to system malfunction, clogging or increased pump out frequency.

Food Wastes: Do not put Animal Fats & Bones, Grease, Coffee Grounds, Citrus & Melon Rinds, Corn Cobs, Egg Shells, down the sink. Garbage disposal use should be limited to waste that cannot be scooped out and thrown in the trash. Spoiled Dairy Products and Yeasts from home Brewery or Baking may cause excessive growth of microbes that do not degrade sewage.

Paper Products: Do not flush Baby Wipes, Lotioned, Scented or Quilted Toilet tissue, Female Sanitary Products, Cotton Balls or Swabs, or Condoms. Antimicrobial Soaps and Automatic Disinfection Tablets (blue, clear or otherwise) may kill the organisms needed to consume waste.

Household Products: Excessive use of antimicrobial soaps, automatic toilet disinfection tablets, household cleaners, sanitizers and drain cleaners.

Medications/Aliments: Normal use of over the counter medications do not affect the performance of onsite systems. Do not flush expired Medicines/Antibiotics into an onsite treatment system. Some prescription medications are known to cause biological disrupt.

Commercial Additives: Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Small Flows Clearing House have reported that there is no evidence to support the use of additives with normally functioning Onsite Treatment Systems. Some Septic Tank additives can harm your system. A normal functioning system should not require additives.

Chemicals: These materials kill the microbes necessary for the biological treatment to occur. Paint, Paint Thinner, Solvents, Volatile Substances, Drain Cleaners, Automotive Fluids, Fuels, Pesticides, Herbicides, Fertilizers, Metals, Disinfectants, Sanitizers, Bleach, Mop Water, Floor Stripping Wastes, and excessive use of Household chemicals.

Laundry Practices: On-site systems must process the water as it enters the system. Laundry should be spread out over the week, and not done all at one time. Concentrating laundry practices into a afew hours per week puts an excessive water load on your system. By doing one or two loads per day, you reduce the potential for excessive water and detergent loading. Excessive use of detergents, especially those containing bleach, can affect system performance. Liquid detergents are recommended over powders. Fabric softener sheets are recommended over liquid softeners. Bleach should be used sparingly and at half the rate indicated on the container.

Clear Water Waste: Water from air conditioner discharge lines, floor drains, gutters, backwash from water softener regeneration and sump pumps may affect your treatment process. Discharge this water according to local regulations. If you have a question, contact your local health department.

Refer to the onsite system manufacturer's recommendations and/or contact your service provider to learn how these products and practices could affect your specific onsite treatment system.

Remember – if you have additional questions, consult your wastewater professional. NOWRA has a new online service available at NOWRA's Septic Locator to help you with these questions and concerns.