Yes.
However, try to avoid allowing grease or slowly bio-degradable products such as course fruit, vegetable peelings and bones get into the disposal.
Install water-saving devices and be on-guard for leaky fixtures. Water conservation reduces the amount of liquid going to the drainfield.
Have the tank(s) pumped and inspected regularly.
Keep surface water away from the septic system area, including the septic and pump tanks.
Keep driveways, parked vehicles and buildings off the drainfield area. Soil compaction can cause premature failure by restricting the infiltrative and evaporative capability of the soil.
Installing an effluent filter to confine most of the suspended solids to the septic tank.
The use of pretreatment components have been show to improve effluent quality and moderate or reduce ponding.
Understand what can and cannot be put into the septic tank.
In most cases, Yes.
If the old drainfiled was sized appropriately to its current use and there is at least 3 feet of suitable soil as described earlier, then the owner will be able to switch between the two drainfields by means of a diverter valve. It has been estimated that within a
few years, and old ponded drainfields can recover much of its infiltrative capacity. For homes constructed after 1977 and having a below grade drainfield, a future-replacement area will have already been designated. Once a replacement drainfield is installed the original drainfield will be allowed to rest and rejuvenate. Switching may occur every 1 to 5 years. Your WOWRA member contractor will help you determine the proper time and method for switching drainfields.
Liquid observed in the drainfield usually indicates that the soil absorption capability is reduced and ponding is progressing. Many systems begin ponding within the first few years. The ponded state of a drainfield is usually a slowly developing condition. The estimated life of today's drainfields under normal usage is 15 to 25 years. The drainfield is ponded to some degree during most of these years. A consistently rising level of ponding is a possible indicator as to the life expectancy of a drainfield. Sludge in a vent pipe or observation tube is an indicator of a more serious condition.
Many leading institutions have been using the observance of any liquid in a vent or observation tube as the sole criteria for rejecting a septic system from a proposed sale or purchase of a home. As noted above, this is a subjective and inaccurate conclusion. A more reasonable condition of sale would be to make sure that there is a suitable replacement drainfield area available for the future if, and when, the existing drainfeild fails. Technical failure of a septic drainfield is when the effluent is bleeding out onto the ground surface, wastewater backing up into the building (not due to plugged or broken sewer lines) or the existing drainfield was installed less than 3 feet to a saturation zone, groundwater, bedrock or impervious soil.
Generally No.
Many tree species have roots that will attempt to grow into the drainfield to seek out moisture and nutrients. These may break sewer lines or disrupt the distribution of effluent. There are some trees and shrubbery whose root systems can not stand "wet feet" and are safe to plant over or near drainfields. Your local landscape contractor or garden center is a good source of information
Septic tanks require pumping when 1/3 full of scum and sludge.
A good pumping interval is every 3 years.
These signs may be indicators that the drainfield is failing:
Plumbing backups
Grass in the yard growing faster and greener in the area of the drainfield or tank(s)
Soft or mushy ground in the area of the drainfield
Sluggish toilet flushing.
Septic pump runs constantly
Solids accumulating in the drainfield vent or observation tubes.
Biological and chemical additives are not needed to aid or accelerate decomposition.
At this time, there is no conclusive data to support the effectiveness of enzymes or any chemical treatment to rejuvenate a failing drainfield. These products are approved by the State of Wisconsin only if they do not harm the septic system.