Health/Safety
Risk with septic systems
Because septic systems are completely sealed off, devoid of oxygen, and filled with contaminated water, there are potential safety concerns related to pathogen and gas buildup. Methane and hydrogen sulfide are produced naturally in the tank and typically vented through the plumbing stack. However, these gases are flammable and hazardous to humans in large amounts, so be sure to note if your home smells of “sewer” gas. If this occurs, look for a dry plumbing trap under sinks and floor drains and fill it with water to block gas flow.
Septic tanks are an unsafe environment. In addition to containing pathogens from human waste, they can contain four or more feet of water, which is enough water to drown children, pets, and possibly adults. Make sure that all maintenance hole lids are graded and secure to ensure they are completely sealed off and not accessible.
Tanks and other components could collapse due to compression if excess weight or stress is put on the system. Do not drive heavy vehicles or build large structures on the septic system before, during, or after construction. This is especially important in the winter when weight can push frost deeper into the soil and prevent effective treatment. Nothing heavier than a riding lawnmower should be driven over a septic system.
Safety rules
1. Never enter the septic tank. The tank’s maintenance hole entrance is for cleaning and inspection only. The high levels of methane and hydrogen sulfide, low oxygen conditions, high water levels, and chemical contaminants in the water make the conditions unsuitable for human activity.
2. Do not smoke or have a fire near septic tank openings. Methane is combustible and is vented out by the plumbing stack.
3. If wastewater is on the surface, the issue must be corrected. The wastewater is contaminated and those who interact with it may become infected with serious diseases. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly when working with a septic system and change clothes afterward.
4. Never use electrical lights, appliances, or tools near the water or wet ground near a septic system. This could result in an electrical shock or even an explosion.
5. Ensure that all lids are secured to prevent entry AT ALL TIMES. Keep children and pets away from the septic system when cleaning or excavating.
1. Spread out your water use throughout the day to avoid overworking your septic system. Large amounts of wastewater in a short period of time may overload the system. Practice water conservation and look for the ENERGY STAR and WaterSense labels.
2. Listen for drips and leaks and fix internal pumping leaks
3. Do not use your toilet or septic system for trash disposal. The septic system is only designed to take in waste and water, so do not dispose of anything that the system is not designed to handle.
4. Limit harsh cleaners and sanitizers, as they can kill beneficial bacteria essential for water treatment and distribution systems.
5. Choose biodegradable, nontoxic, and hypoallergenic products to clean toilets and sinks. The Environmental Working Group corporation has a system for evaluating the environmental impact and overall safety of cleaning products on the market to aid in selecting products, with ratings available here. -> www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/
Of the major household appliances, the toilet is the #1 water user. Because of this, ensuring efficient water use and establishing cost-effective management practices in your home can reduce the strain on your septic system and save you money.
Be sure to utilize low flow or dual flush toilets to use 1.6 gallons of water per flush or less.
Alongside that, fixing leaks early can prevent significant daily water loss. Even a simple gasket leak can add hundreds of gallons of water to the system, so quickly addressing those leaks can be imperative.
Many toilet cleaners are harsh on septic systems, so avoid automatic sanitizers and “every flush” toilet bowl disinfectants when cleaning. Also, avoid using antibacterial soaps, as they are no more effective than regular soap and can harm helpful bacteria levels. The less soap and cleaners put down the drain, the better for the system.
One of the easier bad habits to get into septic systems is disposing of non-human waste products into toilets, as they will not break down in the system and risk possible clogging or contamination. Aside from toilet paper, no other disposable human-designed bathroom care products should be thrown away in the toilet. No Kleenex, Q-Tips, cigarettes, hair, wipes, cotton balls, feminine products, contraceptives, or unused medication should ever be flushed.
To save water, shorter or moderate-length showers are also recommended rather than tub baths. Bathing and handwashing are the second most significant uses of water in homes, so installing low-flow shower heads and faucets is another good way to save water.
To avoid clogged drains altogether, use sufficient strainers in drains from sinks, showers, tubs, and laundry rooms. The filters need not be complex or expensive; a small metal or plastic drain screen will suffice. When drains do plug, it’s often in the trap below the sink. Take it apart manually and use a plunger or snake to clear out the plug. Do not use drain cleaners to remove clogs, as they harm beneficial bacteria in the septic system. Most products sold to clean drains are harmful, so manually cleaning the clog is the best practice.
Saving water with your laundry system begins with the machine itself. Selecting a front-loading washing machine would allow you to use 40-65% less water than a top-loading machine. It would also reduce the amount of electricity needed to dry clothes compared to a top-load machine. Alternatively, a water/suds-saving or highly efficient top-loading washing machine would reduce water and detergent use.
Spreading out full loads is also an effective way to reduce strain on your septic system. Distribute wash loads evenly throughout the week or throughout the day to avoid overloading and wasting large amounts of water in a short period.
While it is commonly known that drier lint can be problematic if not managed, more lint comes off in washing clothes than drying, with much so small that it may not settle out in the septic tank. Adding a washing machine lint filter can be an effective practice to address this, as inorganic lint buildup has the potential to become a clogging agent in the septic system. Some options include a simple screen on discharge lines or purchasing an after-market lint filter.
Limiting bleach and other sanitizing products can also be effective. It is recommended that bleach be used for less than one load per week. Alongside bleach, limit detergent use to the minimal amount needed for cleaning clothes. Start with half of the manufacturer’s recommendations alongside soft and low water use.
Selecting natural-based, biodegradable detergents is preferred over inexpensive powders or detergents that contain clay, which can clog downstream components of septic systems.
It is not recommended to use liquid fabric softener, as it may prevent natural 3-layer stratification from occurring within the septic system. Instead, try adding ½ cups of baking soda, vinegar, or both, drier balls, or anti-static aluminum foil balls to the load.
A full dishwasher uses less water than sink washing, so it is recommended to run a full dishwasher instead of using the whole sink. If you hand wash in the sink, do not let the water run too long to avoid overuse.
Be sure to choose non-phosphorus-based cleaners. Too much phosphorus in freshwater results in harmful algal blooms that harm aquatic ecosystems.
Regarding food disposal, limiting the amount of food particles entering the system is recommended to minimize load on the system. Scrape plates into the garbage or compost, fix leaks as they are detected, and avoid draining fats and oils into the sink, as they are also solid waste. Limiting garbage disposal is also recommended, as grinded-up food material is challenging to break down by bacteria in the water treatment system and doesn’t settle out well. Do not use garbage disposal on vegetables, meats, coffee grounds, or other undigested food products with a septic system. It is better to compost or handle them with a garbage service.
A simple practice to decrease water usage is to thaw food in the refrigerator versus running it under cold water, as it thaws just as effectively with less effort.
Consider rerouting the water softener and ion filter in your utility room to recharge water outside the septic system. Do not allow clean water from sump pumps or tile lines to drain into the system. Recharge the water softener as infrequently as possible, and dispose of all solvents, paints, antifreeze, and chemicals through recycling and waste channels. Do not run water to prevent the system from freezing. Finally, consider routing other uncontaminated sources out of your system, such as furnace condensate, dehumidifiers, and water treatment devices
If you own a pool or hot tub, be sure no treated water enters the system. Any chlorine-treated water running into the system can harm its effectiveness. Route roof drains away from the water treatment system to avoid overloading. As mentioned previously, nothing larger than a riding lawn mower should traffic over the system to ensure it isn’t overly compacted or eroded.
If the correct vegetation is planted around your septic system, watering would only be necessary within the first few weeks after planting, as the plants should be able to sustain themselves from the system’s discharge and natural water movement. Only water the vegetation if it shows extreme signs of stress.
Owners of outdoor water treatment systems should not rinse or fertilize the area above it, nor should anything larger than a riding lawn mower be driven over it.
In terms of adding additional soil, it is essential to be aware of the oxygen-transferring capabilities in the soil, so do not grade or add soil over the system without consulting the installer or permitting authority first.
Selecting the proper vegetation to live alongside your septic system is essential to ensuring sustained landscape and system health. Establishing vegetation to protect the system from erosion and freezing is crucial. Use native, drought-tolerant plants in the soil treatment area. Framing the system with dwarf trees and shrubs is also recommended, but keep it at a distance.
Establishing good vegetative cover, usually grasses, wildflowers, or groundcovers, is recommended if it is mowed and weeded as needed.
Do not plant edible plants like vegetables and herbs, as they require more soil disturbance to manage, which can harm the system's effectiveness.
Don’t place plastic landscaping sheets over the treatment area, as it can limit oxygen flow.
When selecting plants for the system, avoid thirsty plants that set deep roots and plant aggressive dense ground cover. Water-seeking plants such as poplar, birch, beech, walnut, maple, willow, linden, and elm can interfere with evaporation, so they should be planted at least 50 feet from the septic treatment area. The general rule of thumb is that one should keep a distance equal to the expected height of the tree at its maturity plus 20%.
Choose drought-tolerant plants, plants with short and fibrous root systems, hardy plants that tolerate your climate, and plants tolerant of sun and shade conditions.