Septic SystemsSeptic SystemsOut of sight and out of mind…Out of sight and out of mind…

until you smell them!until you smell them!

Developed by:Developed by:

Susan DonaldsonSusan Donaldson

University of Nevada Cooperative ExtensionUniversity of Nevada Cooperative Extension

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

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What we’ll coverWhat we’ll cover

Sources of household wastewater

Components of a septic system

Maintaining your septic system

Causes of septic system failure

Additives, bleach, and more

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Which of the following can Which of the following can lawfully be used to dispose of lawfully be used to dispose of household wastes?household wastes?

A cesspool

A pipe to the local ditch

A pond

A pipe to the storm drain system

DNRC, Mont.

How much water do YOU use per day?How much water do YOU use per day?

Showers12.6 gallons

Clothes Washers

15 gallons

Dishwashers1 gallon

Toilets20 gallons

Faucets11 gallons

Leaks10 gallons

Baths1.2 gallons

Misc.1.5 gallons

Components of a septic systemComponents of a septic system

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Baffles

A. Miller

A. Miller

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Avoid products with the following Avoid products with the following warnings on the labels:warnings on the labels:

“Harmful if swallowed”

“Avoid contact with the skin”

“Do not get in open cuts or sores”

“If product comes in contact with eyes, call a physician immediately”

Always read the product label!

Where Where does the does the

liquid liquid effluent effluent

go?go?

A. Miller

The soil helps The soil helps filter the effluentfilter the effluent

A. Miller Mike Williams, Ever Green Septic Systems

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Engineered leach fieldsEngineered leach fields

Used when the site does not allow an in-ground leach field due to:

Soils that drain too slowly or too quickly

Areas with a high water table

Areas with shallow soils over bedrock

WSU Extension

UNCE, Reno, Nev.

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Do you know???Do you know??? Where your tank is?

How big it is?

When it was last pumped?

The location of your leach field?

DNRC, Montana

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Maintaining your septic systemMaintaining your septic system

PUMP YOUR TANK!

Keep your bacteria healthy and happy UNCE, Reno, Nev.

A. Miller

RisersRisers

WSU Extension

You can You can retrofit a retrofit a riser by riser by yourself, or yourself, or hire a hire a professionalprofessional

A. Miller

Suggested pumping interval Suggested pumping interval (years)(years)

Tank Size

(gallons)

1 2 3 4 5 6

1000 12 6 4 3 2 2

1250 16 8 5 3 3 2

1500 19 9 6 4 3 3

Number of people in your household

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To pump... or not to pumpTo pump... or not to pump

Pumping costs about $350 for the average 1250-gallon tank, every three years or so

A new leach field costs from $5,000+ for an in-ground system to as much as $25,000 for an engineered field

Which would you choose?

Spongy ground

Sewage at land surface

Sewage backing up into house

A. Miller

A. Miller

www.vdh.state.va.us

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Causes of system failureCauses of system failure

Pipe between house and tank is blocked or broken

Inlet/outlet tees blocked or broken

Plugged line between tank and leach field

Pump failure (for those systems with pumps)

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Causes of system failureCauses of system failure

Tank is blocked with solids, or has collapsed, or leaks

Drainfield is flooded

Drainfield is clogged with solids or roots

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What can I plant on or near What can I plant on or near my leach field?my leach field?

Grasses

Perennial and annual flowers

Many perennial groundcovers

All trees

Large shrubs

OK to plant: Avoid planting:

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Other causes of septic Other causes of septic failurefailure

Overloading. Use water sparingly. Do only full loads of wash at off-peak times, if possible, and try to limit the number of loads daily.

Placement in poorly draining area

Water leaks

Driving over the drainfield

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Other causes of septic Other causes of septic failurefailure

Pouring kitchen grease into drains

Failure to install according to septic codes

Flushing cigarette butts, sanitary napkins or other inorganic materials down the toilet

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Other causes of septic Other causes of septic failurefailure

Extensive use of garbage disposals

Tree roots clogging pipes - contact a septic contractor for repairs

Use of salts and chemicals from water softeners and washing machines

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What about additives?What about additives?

Enough bacteria are present in the tank from normal bodily wastes

Additives cost $$$ and may actually increase the solid material in the tank by producing inert ingredients

There is no substitute for pumping!

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What about bleach?What about bleach?

Normal use of recommended amounts of bleach in washing machines occasionally should not harm your system

Avoid flushing large quantities of bleach (1 gallon+) into the tank

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What about water softeners?What about water softeners?

Will salt brine harm septic tank bacteria?

Does the regeneration cycle flow rate cause solids to be carried over into the leach field?

Will the sodium in the brine affect soil structure and water percolation?

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Tips to keep your septic Tips to keep your septic system working wellsystem working well

Don’t water the leach field

Don’t flood the system with excessive water use

Keep excess solids out of the system and avoid flushing toxic chemicals down the drain

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Tips to keep your septic Tips to keep your septic system working wellsystem working well Avoid using your garbage disposal

to process large quantities of wastes

Regularly pump out the septic tank and inspect the physical components of the system

Don’t park or drive over the leach field

These tips will keep your system These tips will keep your system working properly for working properly for

generations.generations.

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HomeworkHomework

Map the location of your septic system. Assess your risk of problems or septic

system failure. Pump the system, if needed. Inspect the leach field area. Check for household water leaks. Read labels on household hazardous

products to determine if they are suitable for use with septic systems.