Information for Homeowners
If your septic tank failed, or you know someone whose did, you are not alone. As a homeowner, you are responsible for
maintaining your septic system. Proper septic system maintenance will help keep your system from failing and will help
maintain your investment in your home. Failing septic systems can contaminate the ground water that you or your
neighbors drink and can pollute nearby rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
Ten simple steps you can take to keep your septic system working properly
1. Locate your septic tank and drainfield. Keep a drawing of these locations in your records.
2. Have your septic system inspected at least every three years.
3. Pump your septic tank as needed (generally every three to five years).
4. Don't dispose of household hazardous wastes in sinks or toilets.
5. Keep other household items, such as dental floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, and cat litter out of
your system.
6. Use water efficiently.
7. Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs might clog and damage the
system. Also, do not apply manure or fertilizers over the drainfield.
8. Keep vehicles and livestock off your septic system. The weight can damage the pipes and tank, and your system may
not drain properly under compacted soil.
9. Keep gutters and basement sump pumps from draining into or near your septic system.
10. Check with your local health department before using additives. Commercial septic tank additives do not eliminate the
need for periodic pumping and can be harmful to your system.
How does it work?
A typical septic system has four main components: a pipe from the home, a septic tank, a drainfield, and the soil.
Microbes in the soil digest or remove most contaminants from wastewater before it eventually reaches groundwater. 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 allows 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. The wastewater exits the septic tank and is discharged into the drainfield for further
treatment by the soil. Microorganisms in the soil provide final treatment by removing harmful bacteria, viruses, and
nutrients.
Your septic system is your responsibility!
Did you know that as a homeowner you’re responsible for maintaining your septic system? Did you know that maintaining
your septic system protects your investment in your home? Did you know that you should periodically inspect your
system and pump out your septic tank? If properly designed, constructed, and maintained, your septic system can
provide long-term, effective treatment of household wastewater. If your septic system isn’t maintained, you might need to
replace it, costing you thousands of dollars. A malfunctioning system can contaminate groundwater that might be a
source of drinking water. And if you sell your home, your septic system must be in good working order.
Pump frequently...
You should have your septic system inspected at least every 3 years by a professional and your tank pumped as
necessary (generally every 3 to 5 years).
Use water efficiently...
Average indoor water use in the typical single-family home is almost 70 gallons per person per day. Dripping faucets can
waste about 2,000 gallons of water each year. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day. The more
water a household conserves, the less water enters the septic system.
Flush responsibly...
Dental floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter,
paper towels, and other kitchen and bathroom items can clog and potentially damage septic system components.
Flushing household chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze and paint can stress or destroy the biological
treatment taking place in the system or might contaminate surface waters and groundwater.
How do I maintain my 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 your septic system. Doing so can compact the soil in your drainfield or
damage the pipes, tank, or other septic system components.
• Keep roof drains, basement sump pump drains, and other rainwater or surface water drainage systems away from the
drainfield. Flooding the drainfield with excessive water slows down or stops treatment processes and can cause plumbing
fixtures to back up.
Why should I maintain my septic system?
A key reason to maintain your septic system is to save money! Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace,
and poor maintenance is often the culprit. Having your septic system inspected (at least every 3 years) is a bargain when
you consider the cost of replacing the entire system. Your system will need pumping every 3 to 5 years, depending on
how many people live in the house and the size of the system. An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower
your property’s value and could pose a legal liability. Other good reasons for safe treatment of sewage include
preventing the spread of infection an disease and protecting water resources. Typical pollutants in household
wastewater are nitrogen phosphorus, and disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Nitrogen and phosphorus are aquati
plant nutrients that can cause unsightly algae blooms. Excessive nitrate-nitrogen in drinking water can cause pregnancy
complications, as well as methemoglobinemia (also known as blue baby syndrome) in infancy. Pathogens can cause
communicable diseases through direct or indirect body contact or ingestion of contaminated water or shellfish. If a septic
system is working properly, it will effectively remove most of these pollutants.
Septic systems treat and disperse relatively small volumes of wastewater from individual
or small numbers of homes and commercial buildings. Septic system regulation is
usually a state, tribal, and local responsibility. EPA provides information to homeowners
and assistance to state and local governments to improve the management of septic
systems to prevent failures that could harm human health and water quality.
Septic Systems
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| Certified Home Inspections of New Hampshire (603)-455-3023 Email: CH.INSP@Yahoo.com |