Safety
AROUND YOUR HOME

Septic system safety and maintenance

Homeowners who use a septic system for waste-water treatment should clean the septic tank at least every three years. This type of maintenance must be done to remove scum and sludge that builds up in the tank. Excessive amounts of scum and sludge will plug drainage field lines, causing a failure of the system.

Duane Friend

Cleaning the tank must be done by a licensed and bonded septic tank professional. Costs for cleaning a tank will typically range from $75 to $250. All accumulated material, liquids and solids should be removed. This is accomplished by pumping and flushing between the tank and the pumping truck. Cleaning should take place through the manhole opening in the tank. If other openings are used, the tank will likely not be cleaned properly and the baffles in the tank that prevents solids from entering the drain field may be damaged. Ask to have inlet and outlet baffles in the tank inspected, especially the outlet baffle, since this sometimes corrodes more quickly.

When finished, the only thing remaining in the tank should be a black film on the walls and a very small amount of liquid. Bacteria in the film and liquid will aid in restarting the decomposition process. It is not necessary to add starters.

Septic systems should be cleaned every year in certain situations. For example, garbage disposals add a tremendous amount of solids into the system. Also, if more people are living in the house than what the septic system was designed for frequent tank cleaning is essential.

The drainfield is the area where wastewater from the tank is allowed to reenter the soil. Drainage lines let the water percolate into the soil, where bacteria finish cleaning the water.

Drainage lines can become plugged when solids are carried in along with wastewater. Overloading the tank by heavy water usage will not allow enough time for solids and scum to separate from water in the tank. Infrequent cleaning will also plug drainage lines, by allowing scum or solids to get past baffles in the tank. Replacing a drainage field can cost several thousand dollars.

There are many ways to improve septic system performance. Conserving water is helpful. You can do this by using low flow faucets, showerheads and toilets. Washing should be spread out, with no more than three loads done on one day. In recent years, aerobic wastewater systems have been installed in some home sites. These systems, while more efficient at decomposing solids, still must be periodically cleaned. No system can decompose all material that comes into the tank.

Septic tanks function in an oxygen-limited environment. Other gases, which can be deadly, are present in the tank and so are disease pathogens. When working around a functioning septic tank, or getting one ready to be pumped, remember the following precautions.
•Do not go down into a septic tank. Gases such as hydrogen sulfide can cause immediate unconsciousness.
•Do not smoke near septic tank openings. Combustible gases may be present.
•Never use electrical tools or other appliances close to water or wet ground.
• If a strong sewer gas or rotten egg smell is present inside the house, evacuate the building and call a professional to correct the problem.
• After working on any part of the septic system, be sure to wash hands and clothes thoroughly. Change clothes before entering a home or other building.
• Sewage is very corrosive. Be careful around tank components.
•The safest way to have repairs or work performed is by having a trained, licensed and bonded professional do the work.

For more information on septic systems, get the new University of Illinois Extension publication "Septic Systems: The Operation and Maintenance of On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems" available early 2001 at local Extension offices.

Duane Friend is the natural resources management educator at the Springfield Extension Center, University of Illinois Extension, P.O. Box 8199, Springfield, IL 62791-8199, (217)782-8886, e-mail friendd@mail.aces.uiuc.edu.

14  ILLINOIS COUNTRY LIVING    JANUARY 2001