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Septic Tank Tips

• Know the location and capacity of your septic tank system. If you have a copy of your original permit, keep it available for future reference.
• Have a licensed contractor inspect the tank at least every 3 years.
• Have tank pumped when the combined depth of the sludge and scum equals 1/3 of the tank liquid volume.
• Install the system so that rainfall and surface water will flow away from the drain field. · Grow grass above the system.
• Install water conservation fixtures or devices to reduce the total volume of water entering the system.
• Keep plumbing fixtures such as toilets and faucets in good repair to prevent leakage and wasting of water
• Keep copies of maintenance receipts. Keep a sketch of the location of your tank and drain field.
• Don't flush paper towels, newspapers, wrapping paper, rags or sticks into the system.
• Don't over-use ordinary household cleaning chemicals that will be flushed into the system.
• Don't pour out or empty hobby or home industry chemicals into the system.
• Don't flush grease down the drain.
• Don't flush toxic materials such as pesticides into the system.
• Don't plant trees or shrubbery in the drain field.
• Don't allow vehicles (cars, trucks, etc.) to drive across or park on the drain field. (Protect it from being crushed.)
• Don't use chemical solvents to clean plumbing lines or a septic tank system.