Septic do's and don'ts: protect your system between pump-outs

A septic system is simple: a tank that settles out solids, and a drainfield where the soil treats the rest. Most failures come from what goes into the system and what happens on top of the drainfield. These habits come from the EPA's SepticSmart program (EPA SepticSmart flyer), with a few Suffolk-specific notes.

Don't flush these

Only toilet paper and human waste belong in the toilet. The EPA lists these as things to put in the trash, not the toilet:

• Feminine hygiene products
• Condoms
• Dental floss
• Diapers
• Cigarette butts
• Cat litter
• Paper towels
• Medications

About "flushable" wipes: don't flush them on a septic system. Many don't break down the way toilet paper does, and they can clog pipes, pumps and filters.

Don't pour these down the drain

• Cooking grease and oil. Let it harden in a container and throw it away.
• Coffee grounds and food scraps. They go in the trash or compost.
• Household chemicals: paint, solvents, large amounts of bleach or drain cleaner. They can kill the bacteria the tank depends on.
• A lot of garbage disposal waste. The EPA recommends eliminating or limiting use of a disposal. It adds solids, and tanks with heavy disposal use need pumping more often.

Protect the drainfield

• Don't park or drive on it. The weight can crush the drain lines and compact the soil. That includes cars, trucks and heavy equipment.
• Don't plant trees or shrubs too close. Roots grow toward water and can clog the lines. Ask a septic professional how far away to plant.
• Don't build over it: no sheds, patios, pools or above-ground structures.
• Keep roof and sump water away. Point downspouts and drainage away from the drainfield. Suffolk's high water table already puts a lot of water in the ground.

Go easy on water

Every gallon that goes down a drain goes through the tank and into the drainfield. Too much at once can push solids out of the tank before they settle.

• Spread out laundry. One or two loads a day beats seven on Saturday.
• Don't run several water-heavy appliances at once.
• Fix leaks. A running toilet can send hundreds of gallons a day into the system.
• Consider low-flow fixtures and faucet aerators.

Do these on schedule

• Pump when needed. The EPA's general guideline is every three to five years, and an inspection about every three years. In Suffolk's Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area, the city requires pumping or inspection at least once every five years (city program page). See the pump-out requirement.
• Keep your receipts. The city asks owners to keep records for at least five years.
• Know where your tank is. See how to find your septic tank.
• Keep up with maintenance if you have an alternative system.

A word on additives

You'll see products sold to "boost bacteria" or "eliminate pumping." Nothing replaces pumping. Solids still build up in the tank and have to be removed. If you're thinking of using an additive, ask a septic professional first.

Signs something's wrong

Slow drains, gurgling, sewage smells, soggy ground over the drainfield, or an alarm going off all mean it's time to call. Don't wait for the next scheduled pump-out. See septic problems.