Keep Your Drinking Water Safe
December 15, 2009 – 4:19 pm
Are you a homeowner? Did you know that it’s your responsibility to maintain your septic system? Well, if you didn’t now you know and you can do something about it. Properly caring for your septic not only protects groundwater from contamination, but it prevents you from having to spend money on expensive repairs when your septic system fails due to build up or exterior damage. If you don’t know anything about septic tanks, you can still take some precautions to protect yours.
Sewage disposal systems basically purify the wastewater coming from your home. It sits in the tank so that the sum (oil and grease) floats to the top and the sludge (solids) sink to the bottom. Once these materials have separate, it leaves the wastewater in the middle. Eventually, the wastewater leaves the tank through a pipe and is dispersed in the drainfield (a section of your lawn) where the wastewater is filtered and cleaned by the soil.
When you neglect to care for your septic tank, your wastewater might not be getting appropriate treatment. Remaining bacteria and viruses can contaminate groundwater, which can eventually create problems in your drinking water.
The first step in protecting your septic tank is to find out where it is on your property. You can obtain copies of your property drawing from your local land records. Or you can contact local inspectors who may have serviced the septic tank for the previous owner. Once you get an inspector, they can check for sewage backup, leaks and any malfunctioning parts.
Depending on your tank and how much wastewater is treated through it, you should have your tank pumped every three to five years. This will prevent your yard from becoming a sewage pit, which is expensive to restore.
Some easier ways to preserve your septic system include using your water efficiently. For example, run the washer only when it’s full and don’t let water run. Also, refrain from flushing feminine hygiene products down the toilet. Lastly, make sure you don’t plant any trees or shrubs in your drainfield. Plant roots can clog the area and even cause leaks in your tank.
When a septic tank fails, it’s costly to clean up the mess and install a new one. So keep the one you have working by regularly monitoring and having it serviced. These are important steps to take, so your family doesn’t become exposed to tainted drinking water.
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Tags: safe drinking water, septic tank safety, well water safety