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Do's and Don't's for Septic System Operation

Do’s

• Know the location and capacity of your septic tank system.
• Have a licensed contractor inspect the tank at least every three years.
• Have tank pumped when the combined depth of the sludge and scum equals 1/3 of the tank liquid volume.
• Install the system so that rainfall and surface water will flow away from the drainfield.
• Grow grass above the system.
• Install water conservation fixtures or devices to reduce the total volume of water entering the system.
• Keep plumbing fixtures such as toilets and faucets in good repair to prevent leakage and wasting of water.

Don’ts

• Never flush paper towels, newspapers, wrapping paper, rags or sticks into the system.
• Never allow large, irregular, intermittent or constant volumes of clear water into the system, as with a leaking toilet or faucet.
• Never over-use ordinary household cleaning chemicals that will be flushed into the system.
• Never pour out or empty hobby or home industry chemicals into the system.
• Never allow grease or other bulky waste to enter the system.
• Never flush toxic materials such as pesticides into the system.
• Never plant trees or shrubbery in the drainfield.
• Never allow vehicles (cars, trucks, etc.) to drive across or park on the drainfield. (Protect it from being crushed.)
• Never waste water.
• Never use chemical solvents to clean plumbing lines or a septic tank system.