By Mike Ekberg,Manager for Water Resources Monitoring and Analysis
None of us wants to throw thousands of dollars down the drain or put our family’s health at risk. But if you have a septic system and don’t maintain it, you could be doing just that. It costs only $250 to $300 every four years to maintain your septic system. But repairing or replacing a broken septic system can cost $3,000 to $7,000. And just as important, a poorly maintained septic system can contaminate groundwater/drinking water and spread disease.
What is a septic system?
Septic systems are highly efficient, self-contained, underground wastewater treatment systems. They are commonly found in rural areas and often consist of a septic tank and a drainfield.
Do you have a septic system?
Twenty-five percent of U.S. homes have a septic system. How do you know if you do? Here are some signs:
How to maintain your septic system
Inspect and pump regularly: Your septic system should be inspected and pumped every three to five years by a certified septic system professional. Use water efficiently to avoid overloading the system: Consider using high-efficiency toilets and showerheads. When using the washing machine, be sure to select the proper load size to avoid using more water than needed. Flush with care: Don’t flush anything besides human waste and toilet paper. Never flush:
Take care at the drain
Maintain your drainfield
Information for this blogpost was taken directly from EPA's "A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems" and Groundwater Foundation materials.