A Healthy Septic System Pays
 | | Typical Septic System (Courtesy EPA) |
Many NSP homes use septic systems instead of a centralized sewer system to treat household waste. These onsite systems need to be properly maintained. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), upkeep comes down to four key elements:
- Inspection and Pumping
- Water Efficiency
- Proper Waste Disposal
- Drainfield Care
Here are some simple tips to use for a trouble-free system:
- Regularly check faucets and toilets for leaks; make repairs if necessary
- Wait until the dishwasher is full to run it
- Use garbage disposals wisely-a garbage disposal can double the amount of solids added to a septic tank
- Minimize heavy duty cleaners-overuse of strong cleaners can kill the beneficial bacteria in a septic tank, so it stops working as efficiently
- Do not pour grease, fats and solids down the drain
- Never flush household products down the toilet (i.e., dental floss, disposable diapers and wipes, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts, coffee grounds and cat litter)
- Remind guests not to park or drive on the system's drainfield because this could damage buried pipes
Solids must eventually be pumped from the tank. Many experts recommend that a family of four have their tank pumped after 3-5 years of full-time use.
To download a detailed Septic System Guide from the EPA, click here. |
|
Did You Know?
 Average indoor water use in a typical single-family home is nearly 70 gallons per individual, per day? And just a single leaky toilet can waste as much as 200 gallons per day?
All of the water a household sends down its pipes ends up in the septic system. This means that the more water you can conserve the less water that will be sent into the system.
Efficient water use helps to protect the septic system. Consider the following:
High-efficiency toilets: Toilets account for 25-30% of household water use.
Faucet aerators and high-efficiency showerheads: Help to reduce water use as well as the volume of water entering your septic system.
Washing machines: Washing small loads of laundry on your washing machine's large-load cycle wastes water and energy. Select the proper load size and this helps to reduce water waste. If you cannot select a load size, run only full loads of laundry to conserve. It is also less stressful on the septic system to spread out loads of laundry throughout the week, rather than doing all of the loads in one day.
For more tips on water conservation, go to the EPA WaterSense Program website at:: www.epa.gov/watersense< |
|
Not Sure If You Have
a Septic Sytem?
If you are uncertain whether your NSP home is on a septic system, here are the most common ways to be sure:
- You use well water
- The water line coming into your home does not have a meter
- Your water bill shows ".00" for the sewer portion of your bill
- Your neighbors have a septic system
Most Lehigh Acres homes are on septic systems.
|
