Septic Sytem Operation Practices

 Here are a few operation practices a owner of a septic system can utilize to keep their unit operating efficiently.  

• Do not dispose of grease, fats, and cooking oils.
• Do not dispose of Pesticides, herbicides, or any other toxin.
• Garbage Disposals are not recommended.  If you must use a garbage disposal use it sparingly.  Food waste, grease, etc. should be disposed of in the solid waste bin.  Scrape plates of left over food into the trash and not down your drain.  Food waste represents additional loading the Aerobic Treatment Unit would have to digest, increasing pump out intervals.
• Do not dispose of paints, household chemicals, automobile fluids, or discard mop water into the system. 
• Do not dispose of non-biodegradable items such as cigarette butts, disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products, condoms, hair, coffee grounds, rags, paper towels, bandages, etc.
• Wash loads must be spread out over the week.  Once a week multiple loads and half loads are not recommended. Do not run dishwasher and washing machine at the same time.
• Do not dispose of citrus products (oranges, lemons, grapefruit, etc.).
• Do not use additives for septic systems- they do more harm than good.
• Do not connect other water sources to the system to prevent hydraulic overload.
• Do not dispose of home brewery waste, strong medicines such as antibiotics. Anti-bacteria soaps and products should be avoided.
• Do not use strong disinfectants or bleaches.  Laundry products such as: Lysol, Pine-Sol, Tidy-Bowl, Drano, and discharge from water softeners.  
• Recommended detergents are low-sudsing, low phosphates and biodegradable, with washing soda ingredients.  Fabric Softener dryer sheets are recommended.  
• Recommended cleaning products are non-chlorine, biodegradable, non-toxic and non-corrosive.