The Toilet Isn't a Garbage Disposal
Never flush cat litter, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, paper towels, facial tissues, coffee grounds, or cigarette butts and filters, they will clog your septic tank in less time than you might imagine.
Do Not Pour Grease Down the Drain
Grease can clog the septic drainfield, making it impossible for soil to absorb liquids. If that happens you'll need a new drainfield.
Avoid Hazardous Chemicals
Varnish, paint thinners, motor oils, gasoline and other similar chemicals can ruin your system and are a hazard to groundwater. Dispose of them properly.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Solids must eventually be pumped from the tank. Many experts advise a family of four with a 1,000 gallon septic tank to have the tank pumped after 3-5 years of full time use. Other experts say you can go much longer between pumping operations.
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Sewerage/Septic Tanks
Most properties within the Litchfield Municipality have household sewerage treatment plants or a septic tank to treat waste water. Please make yourself aware of the layout of your septic tank system and its separation from your bore.
Keep Trees Away from the Septic System
- Discourage root damage by keeping trees at least 100 feet away from the septic system.
- Trees with very aggressive roots should be even farther away from the system.
Septic tanks work with the help of anaerobic bacteria (little critters that don't need oxygen), to break down the dibble (Yuk) matter, and are in need of very little maintenance, except that they do need to be cleaned every three to five years. Some waste floats (scum), and forms a crust, which indicates a healthy system, and some sinks (sludge). The cleaner water flows from between these layers to the drain field. As the scum and sludge layers build up over time, the clear water (retention zone) is reduced, and eventually the sludge is flushed into the drain-field.
Discharges Likely To Decrease A Septic Tank's Operational Effectiveness
Any of the following substances discharged into a septic tank, may harm, impair or decrease the septic systems effectiveness and operation:
- any storm water, including roof and rainwater tank overflow, and surface drainage waters,
- any backflush waters from a swimming pool or water softener,
- any discharge or backflush from a spa bath/pool in excess of 680 litres,
- any sanitary napkin, clothing or plastic material or liner,
- any petrol or other flammable or explosive substance whether solid, liquid or gas,
- any disinfectant or deodorant, antiseptic or germicide powder or fluid, unless specifically stated by the manufacturer to be suitable for use with septic tanks and only in quantities necessary for normal household cleaning,
- any trade waste likely to be detrimental to the natural flora and fauna within a septic tank,
- any matter or substance which in the opinion of the EHO is likely to impair the effective working of a septic tank.