Treating your household wastewater

When installed and maintained properly, septic systems can reliably treat household wastewater for years.
If you are experiencing any of the following warning signs or are wondering about the condition of your system, consider having it inspected by a professional.

Warning signs include:

• Slow or backed up drains in your house
• Spongy and/or lush spots on or near the leaching bed
• A sewage smell in the basement or outside
• Poor quality of water in nearby wells or surface water

Call a Professional

Regular inspections are vital to proper maintenance of your septic system. They can identify any current or potential problems and ensure that your septic system has a long and useful life.

Problems with septic systems often stem from improper use. Many homeowners with a septic system do not realize the importance of regular maintenance. Others connect additional toilets, showers, hot tubs, or other water uses without upgrading the size of their system.
Poor maintenance of your system can endanger drinking water for your family as well as your community by providing a gateway for contamination.

The following tips can help protect your investment and the environment:

• Know where your tank and leaching bed are located and ensure your tank is pumped out
  every 3 to 5 years 
• Avoid putting grease, food, compost, wipes, etc. down the drain or toilet
• Avoid parking or driving over your tank and leaching bed
• Do not construct driveways, buildings, or pools on or near any part of the septic system
• Be water smart by conserving and spreading out your water use over multiple days
• Avoid excessive use of anti-bacterial soaps, bleaches, and harsh cleansers, and do not put
  paints, solvents, or other toxic chemicals down the drain
• Keep trees and shrubs away from the leaching bed