|
|
|
| |
All
on-site wastewater disposal systems, whether conventional, low
pressure or aerobic,
require routine maintenance.
The following suggestions for maintenance of your system will
help to insure that you obtain the best service from your system
and prolong its life: |
| |
|
| |
|
1. |
Have all
compartments (including the pump chamber, if applicable)
checked for solids build-up after one year of use. You
probably will not need to have your tank pumped more often
than once every 3 to 5 years thereafter. Measure the solids
level in the bottom of the tank prior to pumping in order to
determine a subsequent pumping schedule. Failure to have the
tank pumped may result in failure of your system due to
plugging of the drain field. |
| |
|
|
2. |
Check the solids
level in the first compartment of the septic tank by
inserting a long stick wrapped with a 12-inch length of
white towel or absorbent cloth. Push the stick to the bottom
of the tank and remove it slowly. The sludge level depth
should be less than 8 inches. Have the tank pumped if the
level is 8 inches or more. |
| |
|
|
3. |
Install water
saving devices. You may adjust the float in the water closet
to conserve water. |
| |
|
|
4. |
Do not dispose
of plastic, cardboard or other non-biodegradable materials
in your commodes. Only biodegradable solids will break down
in your septic tank. You may safely use detergents and drain
cleaning products such as Draino. You may dispose of toilet
tissue in the commodes. |
| |
|
|
5. |
Repair leaking
faucets and commodes. One leaking commode can saturate a
drain field. (See
Table) |
| |
|
|
6. |
Direct
downspouts away from the drain field. All surface water must
also be directed away from the drain field. |
| |
|
|
7. |
Do not drive
heavy equipment over the drain field or construct buildings,
patios or driveways over the drain field. Avoid any activity
that would pack the soil over the lateral lines. |
| |
|
|
8. |
Settling of the
soil over the tank and lateral lines is a natural, expected
occurrence. After the soil settles, cover the depressions
with topsoil and till the entire area. Finetexture red
backfill if often not possible in tight clay soils |
| |
|
|
9. |
Any septic
system is limited in its capacity to dispose of wastewater
by size and soil type. If more water is applied to a system
that it can dispose of, the excess will surface. When water
surfaces over an entire drain field, the system is being
flooded beyond its capacity either from wastewater or from
surface water. If water surfaces in one location, the
probability is that a fitting is broken or there is a
natural void in the soil over the line. Water conservation
is extremely important to insure that the system is able to
dispose of the volume with which it is being loaded. |
| |
|
|
10. |
Chemical
additives or “enzymes” are not necessary for the operation
of a septic tank. Addition of these products is useless and
may be harmful to your system. |
| |
|
|
11 |
If your system
has an effluent pump, it has a one-year warranty.
Replacement pump assemblies may be obtained at the V.P.P.
yard in lnez. If V.P.P. staff replaces a pump, either during
the warranty period or beyond, there will be a service fee.
The system warranty covers only materials. |
| |
|
|
| |
The
following is a table indicating the volume of septic system
loading which occurs due to small, inconspicuous leaks in
household plumbing and fixtures. Check for leaks in commodes by
adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank. If color
appears in the bowl within a few minutes, there is a leak.
Periodically check the clean-out between the house and the
septic tank for a small stream of water when no water is running
in the house. |
| |
|
|
SEPTIC SYSTEM LOADING
DUE TO SMALL LEAKS |
OUNCES
PER
MINUTE |
GALLONS
PER
DAY MONTH YEAR |
|
One
Drop PerSecond |
1/10 |
1+ |
33+ |
410 |
|
Two
Drops Per Second |
1/5 |
2+ |
67+ |
821 |
|
Stream
Breaking to Drops |
2 |
24 |
730 |
8,760 |
|
1/16
Inch Stream |
7+ |
84 |
2,554 |
30,660 |
|
1/8
Inch Stream |
23 |
260 |
7,980 |
94,900 |
|
3/16
Inch Stream |
30 |
336 |
10,220 |
122,640 |
|
¼
Inch Stream |
83 |
936 |
28,470 |
341,640 |
|
|
|
