It's here! 2023 HK-Community Septic Inspection Season!

Was your septic system last inspected in 2015? If so, it's time for another inspection as part of the HK-CSI program. Keep an eye on your mailbox, we will mail out a letter about the program if your septic system is due for inspection. 

Septic systems located within a Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA) that were last inspected in 2018 are due for an inspection again this year to meet the Source Protection Policy requirements (every 5 years). 

Call the Township Office at (519)-395-3735 if you're due for a septic inspection (or if you have any questions about the HK-CSI program) and schedule an appointment. Appointments can be booked between May 1 and October 31, 2023.

Additional information relating to what you can expect during an inspection, what happens after the inspection and why the program exists can be found at:

Septic Inspection Program - Township of Huron Kinloss

Keeping Your Septic Tank Healthy During Social Distancing

With the COVID19 pandemic, people are encouraged to stay home and practice social distancing. This means many of us are spending more time at home, which means more laundry, more cleaning and more cooking. That can mean more water usage, which can impact your septic system. Here are some helpful tips to keep your septic system healthy:

• Do not flush any kind of wipe or paper towel. While some wipes may say they are ‘flushable’, that only means they will go down the toilet. Wipes do not decompose like toilet paper and can result in a clog in your pipes and your septic system. If you want a fun science project to do with the kids, compare how long it takes for a piece of toilet paper and a wipe to start to break down in two separate jars of water.
• If you’re doing more laundry, try to space out the loads to avoid overwhelming your septic system.
• Keep cooking grease and fats out of your septic system. Put that bacon grease in a can and throw it out, don’t put it down the drain.
• Be aware of how much disinfectant you’re using. Understandably, it’s important to sanitize surfaces, but remember that bleach and other sanitizers can also impact the microbes that are an important part of the decomposition process in your septic tank.
• If you think your tank needs pumped, call your local pumper. They will advise you on how a pump-out can be arranged and what safety precautions they are taking around COVID19.

      

TIPS: Septic systems and flooding

During a flooding event, it is important to pay close attention to the condition of your septic system. If the system appears to be completely saturated, there is the potential that sewage may back up in the building. It is essential to limit the use of the septic system during this time. Closing off the drains, especially at the lowest level, may help to reduce the damage caused if the sewage backs up into the building. 

Once the water has receded, there are a few things that homeowners should remember: 

• Don't open the septic lids until the water has receded. Make sure that the systems lid(s) remain secure. Once the water has receded, have an experienced professional check the condition of internal components (baffles, filters) and ensure they are secure and unclogged. 
• If a back up in the building has occurred, use a proper disinfectant to clean the area.
• Before using the system, make sure the water on the bed is lower than the water level around the house.
• If drinking water for the property comes from a well, it is important to have the water tested before it is consumed to ensure it has not been contaminated.
• Have the system pumped (and back washed) by an experienced professional after the water has receded in order to remove any silt and debris that may have been washed into the system.
• Don't compact the soil over the septic bed. This may reduce the soil absorption ability to treat wastewater and cause the system to fail (and potentially cause a back up in the building).
• Check all electrical or mechanical components (grinder pump, effluent pump, ejector pump, etc.) to ensure the connections have not been compromised. 
• When the area is dry, repair any areas of erosion or sod damage over the septic bed to ensure an adequate cover and stability.  

For more information about septic system and flooding, visit: https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/septic-systems-what-do-after-flood

The 2019 HK-CSI Inspection Season is now underway!

The 2019 HK-CSI Inspection Season is now underway! 

All properties that received an inspection under the HK-CSI program in 2011 are to be inspected in 2019. 

Properties within a Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA) that were inspected in 2014 are to be inspected in 2019 to satisfy the Source Protection Policy requirements (require an inspection every 5 years).

To book your appointment: Call the Township office (519)395-3735 to schedule your appointment in advance to ensure availability. Appointments for 2019 will be scheduled from May 1^st to October 31^st: 

·         Monday - Wednesday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
·         Thursday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
·         Saturday appointments may be arranged

Septic Tank Additives - Good or Bad?

The  Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association recently published  a memo on their website about septic tank additives. The topic is one that does not have a consistent view across the industry. Some experts believe that their use is important to aid the functioning of the system, while others are not convinced they provide a benefit. The composition and marketing of these additives have evolved over time to meet changing demands and perception of septic system care in the industry. 

The basic purpose of an additive is to aid the septic tank or bed in some way depending on the type. Additives fall into three types: inorganic compounds, organic solvents and biological additives.

• Inorganic compounds - These products are typically made from strong acids or alkalis, marketed to unclog drains. Their composition can kill healthy bacteria in the tank, allowing raw sewage to potentially pass into the bed. These compounds may also corrode concrete tanks, risking the tanks to leak its contents.  These products are not recommended.

• Organic solvents - These products are considered a degreasers to break down fats, oils and greases. Good bacteria in the tank may be killed off, therefore allowing raw sewage to potentially pass into the bed. These products are not recommended.

• Biological additives - These type of additives, such as yeast, which are used to enhance the bacteria and microbes already present in the septic tank. Septic tanks have five types of waste: proteins, fibers, greases, pectins and starches. Biological enzymes are specific to each waste type - for example, Cellulase (enzyme), is specific to fibers and Protease is specific to protein-based wasted. The effectiveness of products depend on the health of the existing system and may not improve the efficiency of bacterial growth, reproduction, and function.
• Bacterial based additives: These provide a boost of live bacteria and aid in bacterial growth. In cases where healthy bacteria is lacking in the system, a bacterial additive may provide a boost the bacterial population in the tank. If the system already contains healthy bacteria, adding a commercial product may cause competition between the existing and added bacterial. 
• Enzymes: These are non living and cannot reproduce and are intended to stimulate growth and reproduction of existing bacterial. It is understood that some enzymes may break down the scum layer and allow for fats, oils and greases to reach the septic bed. 

Proceed with caution - products that claim to reduce or eliminate the need for tank pump out shall be used with caution. Many solids in the tank that require to be pumped out are ones that cannot be broken down using an additive. The accumulation of scum and sludge inside a septic tank cannot be completely prevented. 

Expert opinions on the use of additives in a septic tank remains inconclusive. If you believe your system could benefit from using an additive, be sure to use a trusted supplier and a product that is environmentally friendly (look for the green eco-label) - anything that is put down your septic system will eventually make its way to the environment.

Want to ensure your septic system remains efficient? Follow a regular pumping schedule to remove any solid build up in the tank, clean your effluent filter and inspect the components of your system annually, and always consult a reputable expert when in doubt.


Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association: Septic Tank Additives - What you need to know!
Link: https://www.oowa.org/consumer-information/septic-tank-additives-need-know/

Are 'Flushable Wipes' safe for my septic system?

Are 'Flushable Wipes' safe for my septic system? 

The answer - NO! 

Although manufacturers market some wipes at 'flushable', these wipes may not break down quickly enough (if at all) in your septic tank, like toilet paper does. An overload of wipes may cause a blockage in the septic system and may result in a backup of your septic system, costing you hundreds to thousands of dollars in repairs. 

An example of a septic tank full of wipes

that are  not broken down

The best advice for disposing of anything other than toilet paper - put it in the trash!

Filter Friday - Effluent Filter Maintenance

Do you have a filter in your septic system? If you have a newer system, you will have a filter on the outlet baffle of your septic tank. 

What does a filter do for my septic system? Filters prevent solids from leaving the septic tank and entering your septic bed. If solids enter your septic bed from the tank, there is the potential for them to accumulate and cause a failure of the bed (and contents from the tank may eventually back up into the house). 

What maintenance is required for my filter? It is important that the filter is cleaned annually to remove any build up of solids that is preventing liquids from entering the septic bed. 

Cleaning a filter is simple - just rinse it out with a garden house!

This picture shows a clogged effluent filter that requires cleaning. If the liquids cannot enter the septic bed, a back up of the contents of the septic tank into the house may occur.