Tips:

Water usage:

Septic systems are generally designed based on the soil, water table and number of bedrooms.  Just because your neighbor has a conventional septic system does not necessarily mean you will have the same.  Many of the systems we put in have pretreatment due to the water table and soil.  Most systems have timers on them to space out the distribution of water to drain field.  Ideally, you should try to space out water usage.  Laundry should be spaced out, not done all at one time.  Try not to run the dishwasher, washing machine, and take showers/baths at the same time.  The water going into your septic tank from your house needs time to settle (solids on bottom, cleaner water in the middle and sludge on top).  This allows the cleaner water to go out to the drain field. 

Things not to go down drain:

  • No medication down drain/toilet
  • Limit cleaners/bleach down drains dump mop water out side
  • No grease down drain

Things to check:

  • Make sure your toilets are adjusted properly and not leaking
  • Water softeners should not be going to the septic system (VA only)
  • No garbage disposals

Maintenance:

  • Alternative systems should have a licensed maintenance provider maintain it according to the manufacturers recommendations
  • Septic tanks should be pumped every 3-5 years unless they have been sludge judged and it is not needed.