Don'tcha Put it Down the Drain!

Septic systems are not garbage cans! They are designed to treat household wastewater, and can only “digest” certain things. What you flush down the drain has a major impact on how well your septic system works. Many common household products and chemicals can harm or clog your septic system if flushed down the drain.

Septic systems rely on naturally occurring bacteria to break down organic materials within the septic tank. Even small amounts of household products can kill the good, helpful bacteria in your tank leaving nothing to break down the solid waste. Be sure to limit the use of anti-bacterial soaps and detergents in your household as these products are designed to kill or inhibit bacterial action. 

To keep the essential bacteria alive and digesting do not put the following products down the drain:

• Anti-freeze
• Anti-bacterial soap
• Bleach-based cleaning products
• Drain cleaner
• Gasoline
• Paints
• Paint Thinners
• Nail Polish Remover
• Pesticides
• Pharmaceuticals
• Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• Varnish

Also, products that do not break down naturally or anything that takes a long time to break down should not be flushed down the drain. These products can clog pipes, fill the septic tank up more quickly, and decrease the overall effectiveness of the system. Soap and detergent scum can also plug the soil pores which could cause the system to fail.

For a clog-free septic system, never flush the following products down the drain:

•  Baby Wipes
• Cat Box Litter
• Cigarette Butts
• Coffee Grinds
• Condoms
• Dental Floss
• Diapers
• Egg Shells
• Fat, Oil and Grease
• Kitchen Scraps
• Paper Towels
• Tampons and Applicators

Cottages and Septic Systems

Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean your septic system is! Many cottages rely upon on-site sewage disposal, meaning you must take care of your cottage septic system. Regular pump outs and inspections are absolutely necessary to maintaining your system. Since most cottages serve as a part time residences, how often your tank needs to be pumped out depends on usage. For example, a large family that tends to use a lot of water all summer may need the tank pumped out every three years compared to a weekend couple, using little water, who may only need their system pumped every five years. The best time to get your tank pumped out is in late summer or early fall as the ground will not be frozen or wet and the bacteria can re-establish themselves before it gets too cold. Prior to calling a licensed septic professional to get your tank pumped out, make sure you know where both the tank and the bed are located on your property.  

Many residents have also started to expand their cottages, generally adding more bedrooms and bathrooms. However, it is important to consider the size of your septic tank when doing so. The size of the tank relates to the number of people using the cottage so before you buy or expand a cottage have the septic system inspected to see if the tank is appropriately sized for your usage. Also, if you plan on using the cottage more (spend all summer there, rather than just weekends), it is recommended that you ensure your system can handle the load.

Waterfront Properties

 Attention waterfront property owners! Waterfront properties tend to have wetter soils and a high groundwater table, which can pose challenges for septic systems. Moist soil conditions can make your system less efficient and can allow harmful pollutants to get into groundwater and nearby water bodies. As a waterfront property owner it is necessary to get your tank pumped out frequently to ensure that excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen are not polluting surface waters. Make sure you give these septic systems the special attention they need!

Tank TV: Dirty Jobs - Septic Tank Technician

Mike Rowe, from the Discovery Channel series Dirty Jobs, took on the task of cleaning out a septic tank. To watch Mike tackle the tank, click here.

Photo Credit: Discovery Channel

Maintaining Your Septic System Part II

As you know, maintaining your septic system can benefit your pocketbook, the environment and human health. There are many simple steps you as a homeowner can follow to extend the life of your system and protect your septic system from damage. A typical system consists of two components: a septic tank and a leaching bed, and both parts require maintenance.

Treat your tank with care

It is important to have your tank pumped out every three to five years by a professional to remove all sludge and scum buildup as well as have your tank inspected to look for leaks or cracks. One thing homeowners can do to maximize the efficiency and life span of their tank is to conserve water in the house. Less water entering the tank means less wastewater that needs to be treated. This means you should spread out laundry loads, fix all leaks, and invest in high efficiency appliances. Also, watch what you put down the drain, only materials that break down naturally should be getting flushed away. Do not use your toilets and sinks as garbage cans!

Love your leaching bed

Your leaching bed plays an important role in the treatment of household wastewater; it requires simple maintenance in order to perform properly. For instance, all vehicles should stay off the leaching bed as excess weight will compact the soil and the water will not drain properly under these soil conditions. In addition to affecting the soil, heavy objects such as structures or vehicles can damage the tiles and pipes within the leaching bed. Also, only plant grass over your bed, other vegetation, like trees have roots that can clog the tiles. Another tip to protect your leaching bed is to direct all surface water sources (roof drains, runoff) away from your system, a flooded leaching bed will result in a slower treatment process.

With these tips, you should have a happy and functional septic system!

Minimum Setback Distances for New Septic Systems in Ontario

The image below shows the minimum setbacks for new septic systems as required by the Ontario building code. To view a larger version, please click the image (it will open in a new window). 

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Maintaining Your Septic System

Septic systems are the responsibility of the homeowner; this means it is your job to keep your system working properly. You may ask yourself, why should I maintain my system? Just like a car, your septic system requires regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. By maintaining your system, you are protecting human health and the environment, and most importantly extending the life of your system (saving you money in the long run).
For instance, it is less expensive to maintain your system by getting regular inspections and pump-outs than it is to have your system replaced. Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace. Your septic tank should be pumped clean of sludge and scum every three to five years depending on your level of use. Often, seasonal cottages need pumped out less frequently (every 4-5 years) than permanent residences (every 3 years).It is equally as important to have regular septic system inspections to ensure that septic system components, like baffles and filters, are working properly and are not damaged. It is more cost efficient to maintain your septic system, then to ignore it and have to replace it later on.

Also, you can protect the environment and human health by taking good care of your system. Typical pollutants in household wastewater include nitrogen, phosphorus, and disease causing bacteria and viruses. If a septic system is working properly it will remove most of these pollutants. However, a failed septic system will inadequately treat sewage and may cause groundwater contamination as the pollutants leach into the groundwater. Human health and drinking water could be threatened if pollutants reach nearby wells. Everyone must play a role in protecting drinking water sources, maintaining your septic system is an excellent way to start!

Keep in mind that septic systems have a typical lifespan of 15 to 25 years; however, by maintaining all aspects of your system you can maximize the lifespan of your system. There are many steps homeowners can take to keep their system functioning properly and lasting longer.

Silver Lake Septic Social

Councillor Jim Hanna kindly hosted a septic social for residents of the Silver Lake area of the Township, on July 10, 2010. Residents from the area were invited and about a dozen came out to see an inspection. We were happy to answer residents questions and show them what an inspection entails. Special thanks to Conucillor Hanna, for being such a great host, as well as Jason Cranny, septic inspector for the Grey Bruce Health Unit.

Check out our great pictures from the social, below!