About one in four US households have an individual or onsite septic system. This means they are treating wastewater in their backyard, most then disperse the cleaned water back into the groundwater. Septic systems are a cost efficient and effective method of treating wastewater. Homeowners have a responsibility to manage their systems so they remain an effective method of treating wastewater. Most rural and many urban residents get their drinking water from groundwater, so it is critical that the groundwater remain clean. We do not get "new" water, we must clean and recycle the limited amount of fresh water on the planet.
Simply sending wastewater “away” is not adequate. Steps must be taken to ensure that wastewater is properly treated and dispersed back to the groundwater.
Manage Household Water Use to Maximize Septic System Efficiency
Ideally, wastewater should enter the septic system as evenly as possible. Every time wastewater enters the septic tank, an equal amount of water heads out to the drainfield. The purpose of the septic tank is to collect the solids in waste. Water needs to stay in the tank long enough for the solids to settle out of the water before it leaves the tank.
Low-cost and Free Ideas to Conserve Water
- Look for leaks, repair faucets.
- Check seals on toilets between the tank and bowl by placing a little food color in the tank, wait 30 min. to see if colored water appears in the bowl.
- Install low-flow shower-heads.
- Turn off the water while brushing teeth, washing dishes.
- Showers usually use less water than baths.
- Limit laundry to one load per day to avoid stress on the septic system.
- Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator to avoid running the tap until water is cold.
Other ideas:
- Install low-flush toilets. Most today are 1.6 gallons/flush; old toilets may be as much as 6.
- Buy a front-load washing machine. Old agitator washers use up to 60 gallons/load; these use between 8 and 16 gallons/load. An alternative is an efficient top-load machine; they average 20 – 30 gallons.
Evaluate Cleaning Products That Impact Septic Systems
- Use liquid laundry and gel dishwasher detergents or biodegradable options. These add fewer solids to the tank.
- Do not use automatic toilet and shower door cleaners – they add bleach and other harmful substances to the system.
- Switch to new “green” formulas. Many are plant-based products rather than chemical-based.
- Avoid cleaners with bleach.
- Use as few laundry and cleaning products with bleach as possible.
- Only use drain cleaners if no other options for opening a clogged drain.
- Limit use of anti-bacterial cleansers and soaps. These are designed to kill bacteria, and will kill the helpful, good bacteria in the tank and drainfield.
- Dispose of solvents, paints, antifreeze and chemicals through recycling and hazardous waste channels. Do not wash paint brushes in the sink. Using disposable paint brushes is a good idea. Paints, solvents damage septic systems.
Minimize Solids Added to the Septic System
The more solids added to the tank, the more often tank pumping is needed.
- If using disposable toilet bowl brushes, put the head in the garbage.
- Only flush toilet paper and human waste, no tampons, cigarettes, tissues.
- Limit or eliminate use of garbage disposals. These add large amounts of solids to the septic tank, and use much water.
Clean Water in Septic Systems: No Treatment Required
A number of household water uses result in clean water that can be returned directly to the groundwater. Some can actually cause damage to septic systems.
- Condensation water from high efficiency furnace. Route outside of septic to prevent freezing problems in pipes without adequate gravity flow. Run to a sump pump, or vent directly out of the house onto the ground.
- Reroute water softener, iron or other treatment filter recharge water outside the septic system. The salts used in these are hard on the concrete in your tank. Check on local codes first.
- Recharge the water softener as infrequently as possible. Replace with an on-demand unit so the system recharges only as needed.
- Be sure sump pumps, floor drains, garage drains, roof drains and other methods of routing water away from your house are not going into the septic system. This is clean water, and can easily overload the system due to volume.
- Route chlorine treated water from hot tubs and pools outside of septic system. Chlorine is harmful to septics.
- Install a water meter to monitor water use.
- If an automatic lawn sprinkler system is present, be sure it is disconnected over the drain field.
Protect Individual Septic Systems
Take steps to ensure proper care and maintenance of septic systems. Homeowners can safely and effectively treat wastewater, returning clean water to the groundwater system in a cost-effective manner.
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Valerie Prax - Valerie Prax recently retired after nearly 35 years with University of Minnesota Extension. She served as an Educator and Professor for 27 ...
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