Stand alone septic systems provide a brilliant solution for handling liquid waste in residential settings away from connections to sewerage treatment plants. Septic systems can operate effectively for decades, but don’t take them for granted. Good maintenance is the key to your septic happiness.
Tips for maintaining a septic system
- Avoid planting large trees or bushes with large root systems near soakage area
- Avoid vehicle traffic over tanks or trenches
- Avoid installing pavers or other solid surfaces above soakage area as trenches also depend on evaporation
- Avoid large discharges of water. Spread large washing loads over several days if possible
- Regularly check that you have no leaking toilets or taps. If so, repair ASAP
- Ground water should be diverted away from soakage trenches area
- If you are in an older house install water saving devices. E.g. dual flush toilets
- Allow as little as possible fat or grease from entering the system
- Use household detergents and bleach sensibly. Normal use is OK if in doubt consult the product manufacturers details
- Do not flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet – “If you can’t eat it. You can’t flush it”. Please Do Not Flush: Coffee grounds, paints, unwanted medication or other strong chemicals, wet wipes, paper hand towels, sanitary pads/tampons, hair, dental floss, disposable nappies, cigarette butts, kitty litter.
- Remember that for the best operation of a septic system only toilet paper should be used.
- Pump out septic regularly to avoid solids entering the soakage trenches