Maintaining Your Septic System

Your septic system should be inspected at least every three to five years to make sure it is working properly. Systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components need to be inspected more often, generally once a year.  

Options for inspecting your system include: 

• Hiring a licensed septic system professional
  • Tips for choosing a septic professional
• Learning how to do your own inspection

Pumping removes solids that your tank cannot break down, helping prevent clogs, system failures, and water contamination. Most septic systems need pumping every 3–5 years, but you may need to pump more often depending on:

• Household size: The more people in the home, the more often you need to pump.
• Water use: High water use can keep solids from settling and may require more frequent pumping.
• Volume of solids: Garbage disposal and food waste will fill the tank up quicker with solids.
• Septic tank size: Larger tanks can go longer between pumpings. Older tanks may be too small for your home, especially if it has been remodeled or expanded.

Find a licensed septic tank pumper.

Your toilet should only handle human waste and toilet paper.

Never flush:

• Feminine hygiene products
• Condoms
• Dental floss
• Diapers
• Cigarette butts
• Coffee grounds
• Cat litter
• Household chemicals like gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze, and paint
• Pharmaceuticals

Your septic system relies on living organisms that treat waste. Chemicals and grease can harm these organisms.

Avoid:

• Chemical drain openers for a clogged drain. Instead, use boiling water or a drain snake.
• Pouring cooking oil or grease down the drain.
• Pouring oil-based paints, solvents, or large volumes of toxic cleaners down the drain. Even latex paint waste should be minimized.
• Using a garbage disposal to reduce the amount of fats, grease, and solids that enter your septic tank and ultimately clog its drainfield.

The more water you use, the more your system must treat.  

Reduce water use by: 

• Installing water-saving devices (aerators, high-efficiency toilets, showerheads, dishwashers, washers).
• Fixing leaks, especially toilets, which can waste hundreds of gallons a day.
• Taking shorter showers or partially filled baths.
• Washing only full loads (or choosing the correct load size).

Your drain field helps treat and dispose of wastewater by filtering it through soil and removing contaminants.  

Help protect it by:

• Never parking or driving on your drain field.
• Planting grass or keeping existing native vegetation. Review recommended plants.
• Avoid water-loving plants, trees, or shrubs whose roots can damage or clog drain lines.
• Keep roof drains, sump pumps, and other rainwater drainage systems away from your drain field area, as excess water slows down or stops the wastewater treatment process.
• Make sure the tank lid is secure.