Septic Do's & Don'ts

Do:

• Pump your tank regularly.
  • Regular pumping is crucial to the continued use of your private wastewater system. The recommended pumping interval is three (3) to five (5) years depending on use and system type.
• Have your private wastewater system inspected.
  • All houses that are sold in the City of De Soto that are on a private wastewater system require an inspection at the time of resale. This protects the buyer as well as the seller from any issues that may arise from a faulty system.
• Maintain a healthy lawn.
  • A healthy lawn, especially over the absorption field, is crucial to the function of your septic system as it allows water to be absorbed by the grass and evaporate into the atmosphere. This reduces the amount of water the ground must absorb and reduces the chance of failure.
• Install risers and lids for easier access.
  • All septic tanks in the City of De Soto are required to have a riser and lid accessible without digging installed at the time of installation or when a resale inspection is completed on the property. The installation of these risers and lids makes the septic tank accessible without having to dig up the lid in order to pump the tank or to diagnose a problem if you are having any.
• Limit the use of a garbage disposal.
  • Food and solids that require the use of a garbage disposal are hard for the bacteria in your septic tank to break down and can cause a need for more frequent pumping to remove these solids from your tank.
• Contract a licensed installer for maintenance.
  • Many septic systems require annual maintenance to ensure that any pumps or alarms that may be installed continue to function correctly. Scheduled maintenance can help identify issues with your septic system early before they become major problems.

Don't:

• Use septic tank additives.
  • Additives are not necessary for the proper function of your private wastewater system and can actually cause more harm than good in some cases. Some of these additives can add solids to your system or chemicals that can contaminate the ground water.
• Dump grease and/or oils down the drain.
  • Grease and oil are hard for beneficial bacteria to break down and are prone to clumping together which can cause clogs and be hard to remove when pumped.
• Pour excessive amounts of cleaners and chemicals down the drain.
  • Chemicals and antibacterial cleaners can kill necessary bacteria in your septic tank which will lead to a failure of your system. When used in moderation cleaners should not cause any problems but excessive amounts can cause major issues.
• Flush anything that is not human waste or toilet paper.
  • Flushable wipes claiming to be septic safe ARE NOT! They will not break down and will have to be pumped out. Other common objects that should not be flushed are:
    • Condoms
    • Feminine hygiene products
    • Paper towels
    • Cigarette butts
    • Expired or unneeded medications
• Never build, park or plant on top of septic system.
  • Structures and heavy vehicles can crush pipes and tanks that are a vital part of every septic system. Trees, shrubs, and other plants can have vastly larger root systems to lawn turf that will seek out water and cause blockages that can lead to system failure.
• Plumb sump pump or pool/hot tub drains into septic tank.
  • Sump pumps should never discharge into the septic tank or any plumbing that drains into the septic tank. Sump pumps are designed to remove ground water from underneath your home and ground water should never be allowed to enter your septic system. Pool and/or hot tub water should never be drained into your septic system. The chemicals present in pools and hot tubs can kill bacteria in your septic tank. The volume of water drained from these things can also be harmful to your septic system and overload your absorption field as well.
• Use excessive amounts of water.
  • Septic systems are designed based on the structure they are serving. If your household is using excessive amounts of water for the occupants of the structure then that will cause the soil to not be able to absorb all of the wastewater. This can lead to leaky septic fields, backups into your home, and failure of a septic system.