Maintenance and Inspection
- Septic System Outreach
- How Does Septic System Work
- Landscaping Over Septic Systems
- Maintenance and Inspection
Septic system maintenance is the responsibility of the homeowner. Systems should be periodically inspected and pumped. If properly maintained, a septic system should provide long-term treatment of household wastewater.
Septic maintenance can be as easy as following a few simple do’s and don’ts.
Maintenance do’s
- Reduce water usage
- Have your septic tank professionally pumped on a regular basis
- Keep vehicles off of septic tanks and absorption fields
- Direct water from downspouts away from the drain field
- Inspect your septic tank (every 1 to 3 years)
- Limit garbage disposal use
- Install risers for easy access to the septic tank
Maintenance don’ts
- Flush solid wastes such as diapers, cigarettes, coffee grounds, condoms, tampons, etc.
- Put strong cleaning chemicals down the drain
- Construct patios, carports, or use landscaping fabric over the absorption field
- Landscape with trees over the absorption field Septic system self inspections can be performed by you, the homeowner. The following brochures provide information on how to make a measuring stick for the stick test and also how to perform the stick test.
