A

Systems
to
Guide
Homeowners
Whats Inside
Your septic system is your responsibilty . . . . . 1
How does it work? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Why should I maintain my septic system? . . . . 4
How do I maintain my septic system? . . . . . . 5
What can make my system fail? . . . . . . . . . 9
For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems 1
Did you know that as a homeowner youre responsible
for maintaining your septic system? Did you know that
maintaining your septic system protects your investment
in your home? Did you know that you should periodically
inspect your system and pump out your septic tank?
If properly designed, constructed and maintained, your
septic system can provide long-term, effective treatment of
household wastewater. If your septic system isnt maintained,
you might need to replace it, costing you thousands of dol-
lars. A malfunctioning system can contaminate groundwater
that might be a source of drinking water. And if you sell your
home, your septic system must be in good working order.
This guide will help you care for your septic system. It will help you under-
stand how your system works and what steps you can take as a homeowner
to ensure your system will work properly. To help you learn more, consult
the resources listed at the back of this booklet. A helpful checklist is also
included at the end of the booklet to help you keep track of your septic
system maintenance.
Components
A typical septic system has four main components:
a pipe from the home, a septic tank, a draineld,
and the soil. Microbes in the soil digest or remove
most contaminants from wastewater before it even-
tually reaches groundwater.
Your Septic System
is your responsibility!
How
does it work?
1. Inspect your system
(every 3 years) and pump
your tank as necessary
(generally every 3 to 5
years).
2. Use water efficiently.
3. Dont dispose of
household hazardous
wastes in sinks or toilets.
4. Care for your drainfield.
Top Four Things You Can Do
to Protect Your Septic System
Typical onsite wastewater treatment system
2 A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems
Pipe from the home
All of your household wastewater exits your home
through a pipe to the septic tank.
Septic tank
The septic tank is a buried, watertight container typically
made of concrete, berglass, or polyethylene. It holds the
wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle out (form-
ing sludge) and oil and grease to oat to the surface (as
scum). It also allows partial decomposition of the solid
materials. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet in the
septic tank prevent the sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling
into the draineld area. Screens are also recommended to keep solids from
entering the draineld.
Newer tanks generally have risers with lids at the ground surface to allow
easy location, inspection, and pumping of the tank.
Septic system aliases:
On-lot system
Onsite system
Individual sewage
disposal system
Onsite sewage
disposal system
Onsite wastewater
treatment system
Tip To prevent buildup, sludge and floating scum need to be removed
through periodic pumping of the septic tank. Regular inspections and
pumping as necessary (generally every 3 to 5 years) are the best and
cheapest way to keep your septic system in good working order.
Typical single-compartment septic tank with ground-level inspection
risers and screen
A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems 3
Draineld
The wastewater exits the septic tank and is discharged into the draineld
for further treatment by the soil. The partially treated wastewater is pushed
along into the draineld for further treatment every time new wastewater
enters the tank.
If the draineld is overloaded with too much liquid, it will ood, causing
sewage to ow to the ground surface or create backups in plumbing xtures
and prevent treatment of all wastewater.
A reserve draineld, required by many states, is an area on your property
suitable for a new draineld system if your current draineld fails. Treat
this area with the same care as your septic system.
Soil
Septic tank wastewater ows to the draineld, where it percolates into the
soil, which provides nal treatment by removing harmful bacteria, viruses,
and nutrients. Suitable soil is necessary for successful wastewater treatment.
Alternative systems
Because many areas dont have soils suitable for typical septic systems, you
might have or need an alternative system. You might also have or need an
alternative system if there are too many typical septic systems in one area or
the systems are too close to groundwater or surface waters. Alternative septic
F
inding Your System
Your septic tank, drainfield, and reserve drainfield
should be clearly designated on the
as-built drawing for your home. (An
as-built drawing is a line drawing that
accurately portrays the buildings on your
property and is usually filed in your local
land records.) You might also see lids or
manhole covers for your septic tank. Older
tanks are often hard to find because there
are no visible parts. An inspector/pumper
can help you locate your septic system if
your septic tank has no risers.
4 A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems
systems use new technology to improve treatment processes and might need
special care and maintenance. Some alternative systems use sand, peat,
or plastic media instead of soil to promote wastewater treatment. Other
systems might use wetlands, lagoons, aerators, or disinfection devices.
Float switches, pumps, and other electrical or mechanical components are
often used in alternative systems. Alternative systems should be inspected
annually. Check with your local health department or installer for more
information on operation and maintenance needs if you have or need an
alternative system.
When septic systems are properly designed, constructed, and maintained,
they effectively reduce or eliminate most human health or environmental
threats posed by pollutants in household wastewater. However, they require
regular maintenance or they can fail. Septic systems need to be monitored to
ensure that they work properly throughout their service lives.
Saving money
A key reason to maintain your septic system is to save money! Failing septic
systems are expensive to repair or replace, and poor maintenance is often
the culprit. Having your septic system inspected regularly (at least every
3 years) is a bargain when you consider the cost of replacing the entire
system. Your system will need pumping (generally every 3 to 5 years),
depending on how many people live in the house and the size of the sys-
tem. An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property
value and could pose a legal liability.
Protecting health and the environment
Other good reasons for safe treatment of sewage include preventing the
spread of infection and disease and protecting water resources. Typical
pollutants in household wastewater are nitrogen, phosphorus, and disease-
Why
should I maintain my septic system?
A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems 5
causing bacteria and viruses. If a septic system is working properly, it will
effectively remove most of these pollutants.
With one-fourth of U.S. homes using septic systems, more than 4 billion
gallons of wastewater per day is dispersed below the grounds surface.
Inadequately treated sewage from septic systems can be a cause of ground-
water contamination. It poses a signicant threat to drinking water and
human health because it can contaminate drinking water wells and cause
diseases and infections in people and animals. Improperly treated sewage
that contaminates nearby surface waters also increases the chance of
swimmers contracting a variety of infectious diseases. These range from eye
and ear infections to acute gastrointestinal illness and diseases like hepatitis.
Inspect and pump frequently
You should have your septic system inspected at least
every 3 years by a professional and your tank pumped
as recommended by the inspector (generally every 3 to
5 years). Systems with electrical oat switches, pumps,
or mechanical components need to be inspected more
often. Your service provider should inspect for leaks and
look at the scum and sludge layers in your septic tank.
If the bottom of the scum layer is within 6 inches of the
bottom of the outlet tee or the top of the sludge layer is
within 12 inches of the outlet tee, your tank needs to be
pumped. Remember to note the sludge and scum levels
determined by your service provider in your operation
and maintenance records. This information will help you
decide how often pumping is necessary. (See the checklist
included at the end of the booklet.)
How
do I maintain my septic system?
W
hat Does an
Inspection Include?
Locating the system.
Uncovering access holes.
Flushing the toilets.
Checking for signs of
backup.
Measuring scum and
sludge layers.
Identifying any leaks.
Inspecting mechanical
components.
Pumping the tank if
necessary.
6 A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems
Four major factors inuence the frequency of pumping: the number of
people in your household, the amount of wastewater generated (based on
the number of people in the household and the amount of water used), the
volume of solids in the wastewater (for example, using a garbage disposal
increases the amount of solids), and septic tank size.
Some makers of septic tank additives claim that their products break down
the sludge in septic tanks so the tanks never need to be pumped. Not
everyone agrees on the effectiveness of additives. In fact, septic tanks
already contain the microbes they need for effective treatment. Periodic
pumping is a much better way to ensure that septic systems work properly
and provide many years of service. Regardless, every septic tank requires
periodic pumping.
In the service report, the pumper should note any repairs completed and
whether the tank is in good condition. If the pumper recommends addi-
tional repairs he or she cant perform, hire someone to make the repairs as
soon as possible.
Use water efficiently
Average indoor water use in the typical single-family home is almost
70 gallons per person per day. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200
gallons each day. The more water a household conserves, the less water
enters the septic system. Efcient water use can improve the operation of
the septic system and reduce the risk of failure.
High-efciency toilets
Toilet use accounts for 25 to 30 percent of household water use. Do you
know how many gallons of water your toilet uses to empty the bowl? Most
older homes have toilets with 3.5- to 5-gallon reservoirs, while newer
high-efciency toilets use 1.6 gallons of water or less per ush. If you have
problems with your septic system being ooded with household water,
consider reducing the volume of water in the toilet tank if you dont have
a high-efciency model. Plastic containers (such as -gallon plastic milk
jugs) can be lled with small rocks and placed in a toilet tank to reduce the
A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems 7
amount of water used per ush. (Be
sure that the plastic containers do not
interfere with the ushing mechanisms
or the ow of water.) Youll save about
gallon of water per ush! You might
also consider replacing your existing
toilet with a high-efciency model to
achieve even more water savings.
Faucet aerators and high-
efciency showerheads
Faucet aerators help reduce water use
and the volume of water entering your
septic system. High-efciency shower-
heads or shower ow restrictors also
reduce water use.
Water xtures
Check to make sure your toilets
reservoir isnt leaking into the bowl.
Add ve drops of liquid food coloring
to the reservoir before bed. If the dye
is in the bowl the next morning, the
reservoir is leaking and repairs are needed.
A small drip from a faucet adds many gallons of
unnecessary water to your system every day. To see
how much a leak adds to your water usage, place
a cup under the drip for 10 minutes. Multiply the
amount of water in the cup by 144 (the number of
minutes in 24 hours, divided by 10). This is the total
amount of clean water traveling to your septic system
each day from that little leak.
Use Water Efficiently!
Install high-efficiency showerheads
Fill the bathtub with only as much
water as you need
Turn off faucets while shaving or
brushing your teeth
Run the dishwasher and clothes washer
only when theyre full
Use toilets to flush sanitary waste only
(not kitty litter, diapers, or other trash)
Make sure all faucets are completely
turned off when not in use
Maintain your plumbing to eliminate
leaks
Install aerators in the faucets in your
kitchen and bathroom
Replace old dishwashers, toilets, and
clothes washers with new, high-efficiency
models.
For more information on water
conservation, please visit
[Link]/owm/water-efficiency/
[Link]
8 A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems
Watch your drains
What goes down the drain can have a major impact on how well your
septic system works.
Waste disposal
What shouldnt you ush down your toilet? Dental oss, feminine hygiene
products, condoms, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds,
cat litter, paper towels, and other kitchen and bathroom items that can clog
and potentially damage septic system components if they become trapped.
Flushing household chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint
can stress or destroy the biological treatment taking place in the system
or might contaminate surface waters and groundwater. If your septic tank
pumper is concerned about quickly accumulating scum layers, reduce the
ow of oatable materials like fats, oils, and grease into your tank or be
prepared to pay for more frequent inspections and pumping.
Washing machines
By selecting the proper load size, youll
reduce water waste. Washing small loads
of laundry on the large-load cycle wastes
precious water and energy. If you cant
select load size, run only full loads of
laundry.
Doing all the household laundry in one day
might seem like a time-saver, but it could be harmful
to your septic system. Doing load after load does not allow
your septic tank time to adequately treat wastes. You could be ooding
your draineld without allowing sufcient recovery time. Try to spread
water usage throughout the week. A new Energy Star clothes washer uses
35 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than a standard model.
A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems 9
Care for your drainfield
Your draineld is an important part of your septic system. Here are a few
things you should do to maintain it:
Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby
trees or shrubs might clog and damage the draineld.
Dont drive or park vehicles on any part of your septic system. Doing
so can compact the soil in your draineld or damage the pipes, tank, or
other septic system components.
Keep roof drains, basement sump pump drains, and other rainwater or
surface water drainage systems away from the draineld. Flooding the
draineld with excessive water slows down or stops treatment processes
and can cause plumbing xtures to back up.
If the amount of wastewater entering the system is more than the system can
handle, the wastewater backs up into the house or yard and creates a health
hazard.
You can suspect a system failure not only when a foul odor is emitted but
also when partially treated wastewater ows up to the ground surface. By
the time you can smell or see a problem, however, the damage might
already be done.
By limiting your water use, you can reduce the amount of wastewater your
system must treat. When you have your system inspected and pumped as
needed, you reduce the chance of system failure.
A system installed in unsuitable soils can also fail. Other failure risks
include tanks that are inaccessible for maintenance, drainelds that are
paved or parked on, and tree roots or defective components that interfere
with the treatment process.
What
can make my system fail?
10 A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems
Failure symptoms
The most obvious septic system failures are easy to spot. Check for pooling
water or muddy soil around your septic system or in your basement. Notice
whether your toilet or sink backs up when you ush or do laundry. You
might also notice strips of bright green grass over the draineld. Septic
systems also fail when partially treated wastewater comes into contact with
groundwater. This type of failure is not easy to detect, but it can result in the
pollution of wells, nearby streams, or other bodies of water. Check with a
septic system professional and the local
health department if you suspect such a
failure, and remember to have your septic
system inspected by a professional at
least every 3 years.
Failure causes
Household toxics
Does someone in your house use the utility sink to clean out paint rollers
or ush toxic cleaners? Oil-based paints, solvents, and large volumes of
toxic cleaners should not enter your septic system. Even latex paint cleanup
waste should be minimized. Squeeze all excess paint and stain from
brushes and rollers on several layers of newspaper before rinsing. Leftover
paints and wood stains should be taken to your local household hazardous
waste collection center. Remember that your septic system contains a living
collection of organisms that digest and treat waste.
Household cleaners
For the most part, your septic systems bacteria should recover quickly
after small amounts of household cleaning products have entered
the system. Of course, some cleaning products are less toxic to
your system than others. Labels can help key you into the potential
toxicity of various products. The word Danger or Poison on a
label indicates that the product is highly hazardous. Warning tells
you the product is moderately hazardous. Caution means the
product is slightly hazardous. (Nontoxic and Septic Safe
Stop, look, and smell!
A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems 11
are terms created by advertisers to sell products.) Regardless of the type
of product, use it only in the amounts shown on the label instructions and
minimize the amount discharged into your septic system.
Hot tubs
Hot tubs are a great way to relax.
Unfortunately, your septic system was
not designed to handle large quantities
of water from your hot tub. Emptying
hot tub water into your septic system stirs
the solids in the tank and pushes them out into the
draineld, causing it to clog and fail. Draining your hot tub
into a septic system or over the draineld can overload the system. Instead,
drain cooled hot tub water onto turf or landscaped areas well away from
the septic tank and draineld, and in accordance with local regulations.
Use the same caution when draining your swimming pool.
Water Purication Systems
Some freshwater purication systems, including water softeners, unneces-
sarily pump water into the septic system. This can contribute hundreds of
gallons of water to the septic tank, causing agitation of solids and excess
ow to the draineld. Check with your licensed plumbing professional
about alternative routing for such freshwater treatment systems.
Garbage disposals
Eliminating the use of a garbage disposal can reduce the amount of
grease and solids entering the septic tank and possibly clogging the
draineld. A garbage disposal grinds up kitchen scraps, suspends
them in water, and sends the mixture to the septic tank. Once in
the septic tank, some of the materials are broken down by bacte-
rial action, but most of the grindings have to be pumped out of
the tank. Using a garbage disposal frequently can signicantly
increase the accumulation of sludge and scum in your septic tank,
resulting in the need for more frequent pumping.
12 A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems
Improper design or installation
Some soils provide excellent wastewater treatment; others dont. For this
reason, the design of the draineld of a septic system is based on the results
of soil analysis. Homeowners and system designers sometimes underesti-
mate the signicance of good soils or believe soils can handle any volume
of wastewater applied to them. Many failures can be attributed to having
an undersized draineld or high seasonal groundwater table. Undersized
septic tanksanother design failureallow solids to clog the draineld
and result in system failure.
If a septic tank isnt watertight, water can leak into and out of the system.
Usually, water from the environment leaking into the system causes hydraulic
overloading, taxing the system beyond its capabilities and causing inadequate
treatment and sometimes sewage to ow up to the ground surface. Water
leaking out of the septic tank is a signicant health hazard because the leak-
ing wastewater has not yet been treated.
Even when systems are properly designed, failures due to poor installation
practices can occur. If the draineld is not properly leveled, wastewater can
overload the system. Heavy equipment can damage the draineld during
installation which can lead to soil compaction and reduce the wastewater
inltration rate. And if surface drainage isnt diverted away from the eld,
it can ow into and saturate the draineld.
12 A Homeowner's Guide to 5eptic 5ystems A Homeowner's Guide to 5eptic 5ystems 13
Locol Heollh Deporlmenl
EPA Onsile/Decenlrolized Monogemenl Homepoge
[Link]/owm/onsite
FP/ developed tbis Web site to provide tools for connunities investiatin
and inplenentin onsite/decentralized nanaenent prorans. Jbe Web
site contains fact sbeets, proran sunnaries, case studies, links to desin
and otber nanuals, and a list of state bealtb departnent contacts tbat can
put you in toucb witb your local bealtb departnent.
Nolionol 5moll Flows Cleoringhouse
[Link]
Funded by rants fron FP/, tbe N5FC belps /nerica`s snall connuni-
ties and individuals solve tbeir wastewater problens. Its activities include
a Web site, online discussion roups, a toll-free assistance line (8OO-
624-83O1), infornative publications, and a free quarterly newsletter and
naazine.
kurol Communily Assislonce Progrom
[Link]
RC/P is a resource for connunity leaders and otbers lookin for tecbnical
assistance services and trainin related to rural drinkin water supply and
wastewater treatnent needs, rural solid waste prorans, bousin, econonic
developnent, conprebensive connunity assessnent and plannin, and
environnental reulations.

mere |a|erme||ea
14 A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems
National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association, Inc.
[Link]
NOWRA is a national professional organization to advance and promote
the onsite wastewater industry. The association promotes the need for
regular service and educates the public on the need for properly designed
and maintained septic systems.
Septic Yellow Pages
[Link]
The Septic Yellow Pages provides listings by state for professional septic
pumpers, installers, inspectors, and tank manufacturers throughout
the United States. This Web site is designed to answer simple septic
system questions and put homeowners in contact with local septic system
professionals.
National Association of Wastewater Transporters
[Link]
NAWT offers a forum for the wastewater industry to exchange ideas and
concerns. The NAWT Web site lists state associations and local inspectors
and pumpers.
EPA-832-B-02-005
December 2002
Additional copies can be obtained from:
U.S. EPA Publications Clearinghouse
P.O. Box 42419
Cincinnati, OH 45241
Telephone: 800-490-9198 Fax: 513-489-8695
Ofce of Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Notice
This document has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy
and approved for publication. Mention of prot-making organizations, trade names, or commercial
products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with vegetable-based ink on paper that contains a minimum of 50% post-consumer ber
content processed chlorine-free.
A Homeowners Guide to Septic Systems 15
Septic System Dos and Donts
(adapted from National Small Flows Clearinghouse)
Dos
Check with the local regulatory agency or inspector/pumper if you have a garbage disposal unit
to make sure that your septic system can handle this additional waste.
Check with your local health department before using additives. Commercial septic tank
additives do not eliminate the need for periodic pumping and can be harmful to the system.
Use water efciently to avoid overloading the septic system. Be sure to repair leaky faucets or
toilets. Use high-efciency xtures.
Use commercial bathroom cleaners and laundry detergents in moderation. Many people prefer
to clean their toilets, sinks, showers, and tubs with a mild detergent or baking soda.
Check with your local regulatory agency or inspector/pumper before allowing water softener
backwash to enter your septic tank.
Keep records of repairs, pumpings, inspections, permits issued, and other system maintenance
activities.
Learn the location of your septic system. Keep a sketch of it with your maintenance record for
service visits.
Have your septic system inspected at least every 3 years and pumped periodically (generally
every 3 to 5 years) by a licensed inspector/contractor.
Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs might
clog and damage the draineld.
Donts
Your septic system is not a trash can. Dont put dental oss, feminine hygiene products,
condoms, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, paper towels, latex
paint, pesticides, or other hazardous chemicals into your system.
Dont use caustic drain openers for a clogged drain. Instead, use boiling water or a drain snake
to open clogs.
Dont drive or park vehicles on any part of your septic system. Doing so can compact the soil
in your draineld or damage the pipes, tank, or other septic system components.
FP/-832-B-O2-OO5
Decenber 2OO2