I f your septic system isn't working properly, its wastes can pollute our drinking water with bacteria that may cause sickness.
Or these wastes can pollute our streams with nutrients that cause unnatural growths of algae. Millions of these tiny plants, known as a bloom, turn the water murky green. In warm weather, as they die, they use up oxygen in the water that fish need to survive.
With a little care, you can keep your septic system operating efficiently,
so it won't pollute drinking water or streams. Your foxy friends hope you
will be a good neighbor to the environment.
Caretaker's Checklist
- Know the location of your septic tank and drainfield for ease of maintenance. Allow ample space to add more lines if necessary.
- Don't park vehicles or plant trees in the vicinity of your drainfield. Packed soil and heavy roots impede proper drainage.
- Don't overload your system. Distribute laundry chores<N>throughout the week. Check for leaky valves in your toilet.
- Never use a garbage disposal unit. It adds too many solids to your system.
- Never pour grease down the drain. It will clog the drainfield.
- Never pour chemicals or antibiotics down the drain. Limit the use of chlorine bleach in laundry. These products kill the good bacteria in your system that naturally break down wastes.
- Have a reliable contractor remove sludge from your septic tank every three years. Over time, sludge builds up and can lead to the failure of your system.
Most
household septic tanks contain over 100 chemicals
which could pollute groundwater. Yet, if properly sited, properly
designed, and properly main- tained, septic systems have little adverse
effect on the environment.
