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MAINTAINING YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM
Over 50% of the residents in Clallam County live in homes that are not served by public sewers. They have a septic tank and drainfield system. Maintaining these systems is important to keep them working properly over a long period of time. Good septic maintenance also protects our health and environment.
Take Care of Your Septic
The Environmental Health Division has published an artistic and informative handout titled `Take Care of your Septicī. This handout is full of information about how systems work, the doīs and donīts of septic system use, and tips to follow to help your system last as long as possible. This publication will be online soon. In the meantime, it is available from the Environmental Health office, please contact us to request a copy.
How a Septic System Works
A typical septic system includes a septic tank and some type of a disposal field. The septic tank collects the waste water from the kitchen, bathroom and laundry
and separates the solids from the liquids. The septic tank is divided into two chambers. In the first chamber, heavy solids settle to the bottom to form a sludge layer. Greases and soaps float to the top to form a scum layer. Bacteria begin to work on the solids and partially digest them. The liquid portion flows into the second chamber where more settling and digestion occur. From there, the liquid flows into a drainfield, which typically consists of perforated pipes in trenches. Bacteria and viruses are removed as the liquid moves through the soil and dries out.
Why is Maintenance Necessary?
Septic systems need proper care and maintenance. We have all heard stories about septic systems that have worked well for many years without any maintenance or care. These are exceptions to the norm.
Eventually, the bacteria in the septic tank become unable to digest all of the solids in the tank. The scum and sludge layers begin to build up. This may cause the solids to block the sewer line from the house or pass out into the drainfield and clog the pipes. Clogged drainfields may result in surfacing sewage, offensive odors, plumbing backups, or contamination of surface or ground water.
Repairs to a system can also be costly. It costs less to maintain a system than to replace it.
Maintaining a Septic System
The septic tank should be inspected at least every three years, and pumped when necessary. To inspect the tank, uncover both the inlet and outlet access covers. Use a stick to measure the thickness of the scum and sludge layers. It is time to pump the tank if the sludge is more than 12 inches thick or within 8 inches of the baffle, or if the scum is more than 6 inches deep or within 3 inches of the bottom of the outlet. Inspect the inlet and outlet baffles and replace them if they are broken or missing. The baffles help keep the liquids from being stirred up. They also keep scum and sludge from leaving the tank and clogging the drain lines. If the septic system uses a pump, test the alarm and all controls and hose down the protective screen.
The drainfield requires little maintenance. It should be checked from time to time to make sure there is no surfacing sewage. Vegetation should be kept to a minimum. Roof drains should be directed away from the drainfield. A thick growth of grass or spongy ground may indicate a potential failure.
The Environmental Health Division has printed literature available with more information to help you inspect your septic tank and drainfield. We have brochures at our office about maintaining specific types of septic systems. Some of these are available online from the Washington State Department of Health:
Understanding & Caring for Your Septic Tank
Understanding & Caring for Your Mound System
Understanding & Caring for Your Pressure Distribution System
Water Conservation Using Greywater
Basic Principles of On-Site Sewage (This is a fairly technical document, but has everything a homeowner may want to know about how septic systems work.)
These brochures, and many others, are available from the Clallam County Environmental Health Division.
Washington State University Extension Office also offers information about septic systems. On their Publications and Educational Materials page, use the Search tool to find "septic systems".
Drainfield Landscaping
Carefully choosing the plants you have growing over your drainfield is an important part of taking care of your septic system. Avoid trees, shrubs, and water-loving plants with deep roots. These can clog or damage the pipes in your system. Grasses, mixed wildflowers, and ground covers with shallow roots are good alternatives. Click here for more information about landscaping your drainfield.
Additives
A septic tank additive is a product that is sold with the claim that it will improve the performance or aesthetics of your septic system. To our knowledge, there is no additive on the market which will improve the operation of a normal septic tank. Some may actually do more damage than good to your septic system. You're better off to bank the money for a future pumping. Click here for a Clallam County Cooperative Extension handout about septic tank additives.
The Washington State Department of Health reviews and approves septic tank additives, and provides consumer protection. Click here for their approved list.
Contact Environmental Health with questions or comments about the information on this page.
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