Leaky faucets should be repaired. A single leaky faucet can use up to 4,000 gallons of unneeded water every month. If looking for a new shower head, toilet, washing machine,  or dishwasher, seek models that conserve water usage. Only run the dishwasher and washing machine when there are FULL loads. A toilet displacement device, like a weighted water jug, can save up to 7 gallons of water every flush. When shaving or brushing your teeth, turn the water off if you’re not currently using it. Instead of continually running the faucet to wash fruits and veggies, clean them in a large bowl of ..read more

Keep snowplows away from your tank and drainfield. The plows can compact soil or dig up the area around your system and cause damage. When the temperatures drop, you may be concerned about your tank freezing. Avoid adding anti-freeze or any other chemicals that could harm the balance of bacteria in the tank. If your septic is used regularly throughout winter months, it will in most cases create enough heat to stay thawed. If we have a winter with very little snow cover to act as an insulator, it is wise to throw loose hay/straw or insulation around manhole covers and even on  the drainfi ..read more

The softer the toilet paper the more chemicals were used to make it soft. These chemicals can be harmful to your system’s biological activity, just like anti-bacterial soaps and other harsh chemicals are. Pick a brand of toilet paper that is in-between for softness. Look for a brand that is “Septic Safe”. These brands are normally made with fewer chemicals and are better for your septic system. As a reminder, overuse of any paper can lead to blockage in your septic. NEVER flush wipes, even if they are labeled “flushable ..read more

Did you know that an important part of keeping your mound or at-grade system operating properly is jetting & treating the laterals in the actual mound itself? This will help keep things flowing properly throughout the mound. Let us explain! When the pump in the pump chamber engages, it discharges graywater from the pump chamber down the force-main into the mound. The mound itself generally has 1 – 4 laterals with holes drilled in them where the graywater is then dispersed properly. In time, these laterals become plugged up with sludge, scale and/or debris. Giving these laterals a good clea ..read more

In recent years, bath bombs have become a popular product to add essential oils, scent, bubbles, and color to bathwater.  But how do the ingredients in these bath bombs affect your plumbing and septic system? Frequent use of bath bombs can potentially cause issues by plugging the lines themselves.  There are often solid particles in bath bombs, which include lavender buds and flower petals or glitter and confetti.  None of these items will dissolve.  So, for example, if some of these items get hung up in your lines, toilet paper could then catch on them and begin to plug th ..read more

While this is perhaps a common question in more urban areas, cat-owners may wonder this in rural areas as well.  There are even products out there that claim to “toilet train” your cat! Environmental, waste disposal, and water & sewer professionals agree that flushing pet waste is not a smart idea.  An animal’s digestion and biology are of course different than a human’s, so the waste is different.  The extra usage could potentially overburden a septic system unnecessarily.  An even greater risk occurs for city-dwellers, as municipal treatment technology can’t eliminate ..read more

If you have a high iron content in your water at home, you most likely have some sort of treatment or filtration system.  While you rightly want to address this issue, don’t forget how it affects your septic system.  These filtration systems discharge into the septic tank and suppress the good bacteria your system needs, as well as causing poor separation of the solids in the tank.  This means more frequent pumping is a requirement to keep any major issues at bay.  Using a monthly bacteria additive for the septic system is also a necessity!  Give us a call if you have ..read more

Disposable wipes have gained popularity in recent years, and sanitizing wipes are found in every household now during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Please remember that these wipes can do extreme harm to the plumbing and septic system.  The sanitizing wipes that you use to clean should never be flushed!  They are resilient and do not break down, causing plugged lines, filters, drainfields, and high levels in septic tanks.  Our technicians have found wipes wrapped around pumps, causing them to malfunction, often leading to a hefty bill to fix the problem. Even the so-called “flush ..read more

While garbage disposals may be useful to have in the kitchen, misuse can create unexpected issues.  Depending on how it’s used, it can deliver large amounts of water to the system.  But even more than that, the solids delivered through the garbage disposal don’t settle properly in the septic tank.  Bone fragments and other materials that don’t break down well, like fats, can begin to plug the lines even before reaching the tank.  We recommend limited and proper usage of your garbage disposal, as well as having the septic tank pumped more frequently due to the increased soli ..read more

When it comes to landscaping around your drainfield, keep in mind the damage that roots can do.  They can get into the lines and begin to plug them, leading to serious drainage issues.  While shrubs, trees, and vines are the biggest culprits, plants & flowers should also be researched before planting near your system.  For anything being planted directly on the drainfield, you don’t want anything with a deep or wide root-system. Below is a list of common flora that can be worth considering for planting near drainfields: Traditional lawn (seed or turf), eco-grass naturalized ..read more