1. Homeowner Responsibility
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2. Septic System A septic system has two main components:
the septic tank – a buried watertight container made of materials such as concrete fiberglass, or plastic.
the drainfield – also referred to as a leachfield, drainfield, or soil absorption system, consists of perforated pipes or chambers within a series of trenches or mounds lned with gravel and buried one to three feet below the surface.
Waste enters the tank from household plumbing and enters the septic tank. The tank holds the waste long enough to allow solids and liquids to separate and form three layers:
Scum layer – solids lighter than water, such as greases or oils, float to the top
Liquid layer – partially clarified wastewater
Sludge – solids heavier than water settle at the bottom of the tank
Treatment of the wastewater begins in the septic tank as naturally-occurring bacteria in the sewage work to break down the organic matter in the tank. Sludge and scum that cannot be broken down remain in the tank until it is pumped. The partially clarified liquid layer then flows through an effluent filter out of the tank and into the drainfield for final treatment.
The wastewater (effluent) entering the drainfield may contain many potentially harmful microorganisms and pollutants, many of which can be effectively removed through soil treatment. Water flows through the perforated pipes or chambers and slowly trickles through the gravel and into the surrounding soil, where the natural processes in the soil complete the sewage treatment process.
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3. Overview Your septic system is your responsibility!
Maintaining your septic system is an investment.
Properly designed, constructed, and maintained systems provide effective wastewater treatment.
A neglected system will be costly and can contribute to groundwater and drinking water contamination.
Your septic system is your responsibility! You are the owner, operator, and maintenance man of your very own wastewater treatment system, found in your backyard.
Maintaining your septic system is an investment in your home and property, not to mention your family’s health. In some cases, local, state, and federal government regulation of septic systems helps ensure the proper treatment of sewage to protect human and environmental health, but you are responsible for the operation and maintenance of your septic system.
A properly designed, constructed, and maintained septic system will provide effective treatment of wastewater. However, if you neglect your system, it may eventually need to be replaced, costing you thousands of dollars. In addition, a nonfunctioning system can contaminate local groundwater and drinking water supplies. The treatment and disposal of wastewater should be one of the primary concerns of a homeowner in an unsewered area.
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4. Did You Know?
U.S. EPA recommends system inspections every three years and pumping every three to five years.
Water conservation and efficient use will prolong the life of the system.
Local regulations may dictate minimum setback distances between septic systems and drinking water wells.
Over 25 million homes utilize on-site wastewater treatment systems. (National Small Flows Clearinghouse)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends inspecting septic systems every three years and pumping as necessary, generally every three to five years.
Using water efficiently not only protects groundwater levels, it also prevents your septic system from becoming overloaded.
State or local regulations often require a minimum distance between septic systems and drinking water wells, streams, lakes, and houses, referred to as separation distances. Check with your local health department to learn about regulations in your area.
The National Environmental Services Center reports that an estimated 26 million homes utilize septic or on-site wastewater treatment systems, discharging about four billion gallons of wastewater per day.
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5. What NOT to Do: DON’T ignore your septic system!
DON’T rely on commercial septic tank additives as a substitute for periodic inspection and pumping.
DON’T try to inspect or pump your septic tank yourself.
DON’T ignore your septic system! Ignoring problems will not make them go away. It’s better, not to mention more cost-effective, to address any problems immediately.
DON’T rely on commercial septic tank additives as a substitute for periodic inspection and pumpage. These are unnecessary and can interrupt the natural processes that make septic systems effective in treating wastewater.
DON’T try to inspect or pump your septic tank yourself—you may put yourself in harm’s way. Contact a certified professional to do the job.
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6. What TO do: DO be a responsible homeowner.
DO know the location of your system.
DO know your system’s capacity.
DO be a responsible homeowner—monitor what goes down your drains, use water evenly and efficiently, and care for your drainfield.
DO know the location of your system, complete with a location sketch or schematic.
DO know your system’s capacity. A smaller tank or larger household will require more frequent pumpings.
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7. Contacts
Insert local contact information
The Groundwater Foundation
P.O. Box 22558
Lincoln, NE
Insert your local contact information.
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