Care of Septic Tank

[soulasphil]

I bought our present house in 1988. There was a tank of unknown capacity, to my knowledge it had never been pumped and I have never pumped it yet, don't even know exactly where the tank and leach field are burried. Works fine with varying numbers of people.
I put in two extra bathrooms and toilets in 1990, so just to be safe had a second tank (3 000 liters) and leach field put in for those (also a precaution if the old system had to be redug). Never pumped yet and working fine.
Toilet paper is no problem. I was often told adding any specific product was useless but still put a dose of our equivalent of your rid-x when the number of guests increases.
We have separate systems for kitchen waters (grease) and water from dihwasher and washing machine on the one hand and rain water collected on the roofs on the other hand, they do not go to the septic tanks.
The only problem we ever had was when I drove the tractor through the lid of the newer tank and had to replace that big lid (2 metres across).

 

[JBourquin]

View attachment 298689

OOPS!!

 

[teejk]

there isn't a single point you made that I would argue with! Socialists (they are called "progressives" here because it doesn't sound so bad) have had the run of the state for decades. we now have some hope though (even though the lefties have all the lawyers and fight every attempt to fix the state).

all that said, they are very concerned about ground water...band-aid would work but let's use a cast instead. about the same as the coming gun control (left arm infected so we amputate the right leg).

 

[Pettrix]

As you can see, there are quite a few opinions as to whether or not one needs to add "beneficial bacteria" and how often a tank should be pumped. As far as how often it should be pumped, that depends on usage but DO NOT let a tank go unchecked for years, as that can be a disastrous results both $$$ financially and sanitation wise. You don't want a failed system.

Here is what I concluded from my studies on septic systems:
* Adding bacteria is not necessary UNLESS you dump a lot of bleach and/or cleaners down the drain that kill off the bacteria. Also, if you rarely use the septic tank, adding bacteria can help it get it going again because anaerobic bacteria can and does die off without constant food/waste.
* Have the tank checked yearly and pumped every 3-5 years. Cheap insurance to keep the system going.
* All septic systems have a life expectancy, it is usually 25 years. Some can last longer and others last shorter. They are NOT designed to last forever.
* Aerobic systems (oxygen) are much better at dissolving waste (20x faster) and smell less than anaerobic (no oxygen) systems.

When designing a new septic system for a home I would go ABOVE what the minimum code requirement are for that home. Let's say it is rated for a 1,500 gallon tank, I would step-up and get a 2,000 gallon tank. In addition I would get extra leach field lines put in, above and beyond the minimum code requirement. Use the INFILTRATOR leach field system setup. Do NOT use the perforated PVC pipe in a gravel bed system. That system is inferior to the Infiltrator systems.

The added septic tank capacity and extra leach field lines are a safety margin and comes into play during high-load use (family visiting, large gatherings, lots of laundry washings, etc). I would also add an aerobic oxygenation to the system (check with code). From all my research, aerobic systems are much, much better at dissolving waste, they last longer, they don't smell as bad, they produce a better/cleaner effluent, and the system needs less pumping. SludgeHammer Advanced Septic Wastewater Treatment Innovative Green Systems NSF 40 Standard as a Class 1 Advanced Treatment Unit (I have NO affiliation with that company. They just offer some of the best aerobic systems around.)

Where I never got a clear answer on was if someone in the home is sick and throwing up. Does that hurt the system? Some say yes due to the stomach acid, while others said no. In a family with a bunch of kids, expect the septic tank to be put to the vomit test.

 

[Pettrix]

Another comment regarding adding beneficial bacteria to the system:

If a family member is going through chemotherapy treatment. Adding bacteria treatments to the septic system is a MUST, as the chemotherapy drugs totally destroy any and all bacteria in the septic system.

 

[creekbend]

We have a dish washer, but rarely use it. We scrap the food scraps in a mason jar or a coffee can that is on the kitchen counter next to the sink. We deposit all the grease left from cooking also in these containers.

 

[tractchores]

As for vomiting i can vouch it doesn't hurt it. A family member has a chronic illness and has vomitted usually daily for the last 3 years. Had tank pumped recently and it was in great shape. The small amount of acid is dilluted even by the bowl water... The meds would be way more concerning.

 

[brokenknee]

I'll chime in. Wisconsin requires inspection/pumping every 3 years. The "Honey Wagon guy" can get a waiver on pumping depending on the amount of solids but he still has to check it. Fines are stiff ($500+ if you don't comply). The "Honey Wagon guy" is required to be licensed which requires annual code training. Having seen everything, he will be your best resource.

Is that a local thing or is that for all of Wisconsin? When my daughter and son in law lived just north of the cities they were required to have it pumped every two or three years not sure which. That is not true for all of MN, when I purchased my current place the county had no record of when the septic was put in or when the last time it was pumped. I contacted the local guy and he said he had pumped it two years before I purchased the place. It sat empty for a little over a year before I bought it and I have owned it for two years now so will have it pumped this spring. The guy does not like to work when it is cold and his winter rates reflect it.

 

[teejk]

ditto the "You don't want a failed system". #1 it will usually show-up in your basement (any takers on that one?). And #2 if it's truly failed, it will be EXPENSIVE and you might have to resort to an ugly mound system if you can't relocate the field. As for the rest of Pettrix's advice, probably a lot of "over-kill" but better to err in that direction. I do agree with sizing (too many people try to save a few $$$ and call the 4th bedroom a "study"...it will come back and bite you when you try to sell since these things are getting more attention now...you won't be able to list it as 4BR). We have mandatory pumping every 3 years (subject to waiver if the solid levels are acceptable)...a form has to be submitted to the county. In the off years, the filter (mandatory in new systems) needs inspection/cleaning every year. I have learned to really trust my septic guys about what I am doing right or wrong...maybe I've been lucky and got good ones that know what they are talking about.

 

[teejk]

Is that a local thing or is that for all of Wisconsin? When my daughter and son in law lived just north of the cities they were required to have it pumped every two or three years not sure which. That is not true for all of MN, when I purchased my current place the county had no record of when the septic was put in or when the last time it was pumped. I contacted the local guy and he said he had pumped it two years before I purchased the place. It sat empty for a little over a year before I bought it and I have owned it for two years now so will have it pumped this spring. The guy does not like to work when it is cold and his winter rates reflect it.

I believe it's true for all of Wisconsin now (they still publish fines and violations in the local paper here and the number of cases every year is certainly higher than the number of new houses!).

Wisconsin's DNR got a little too much authority years ago (was affectionately called "**** Near Russia") hence our requirements. Minnesota is a little more relaxed. Your daughter's location was probably a local thing based on it's proximity to the Wisconsin border.

Actually the pumping requirement ($135 every 3 years) is cheap insurance if it can prevent a basement back-up. And there is a waiver process...they were smart enough to know that a system could be over-maintained...it needs bacteria to work properly.