Maintaining your Septic Tank

Your septic tank system is a biological system which utilizes useful bacteria to break down human waste. The liquid or effluent is usually discharged through a soakage trench system or absorption field.
Soakage trenches allow the effluent to be absorbed into the soil where grass and other plants use the moisture and nutrients.

You may have a problem with your septic system when:

  • There is a bad odour coming from your septic system
  • Toilets and plugs drain very slowly
  • Waste water is pooling on the absorption field

These problems can be caused by any one or more of the following factors:

  • A sludge buildup in the tank caused by infrequent emptying
  • Non-biodegradable chemicals are being put down the drains, killing the useful bacteria required to make your septic tank system work efficiently
  • Other unsuitable items such as fats and grease are being disposed of into the system, a buildup of these items can lead to clogging of the gravel in the disposal field
  • There is damage to the pipes, either by tree roots or by fractures in the pipes
  • The disposal field is in a water-logged area

To maintain your system and allow it to function correctly we recommend the following;

  • Clean (empty) your septic tank regularly. This should be done every three years
  • If you have a waste-disposal unit for food scraps your septic tank should be cleaned out annually, as sludge buildup occurs much more rapidly
  • Use only toilet cleaners suitable for septic tank systems
  • Do not use disinfectants to clean the toilet bowl, as disinfectants will kill the useful bacteria in the tank
  • Do not place any materials other than toilet paper in the toilet bowl
  • Protect the disposal field by avoiding driving vehicles or grazing stock on it and divert storm-water away from the area
  • Do not allow deep rooting trees or shrubs to grow over drainage pipes or the disposal area

Most septic tank problems are caused by one or more of the above. This usually leads to a pH imbalance and the tank becomes acidic. When this occurs bad odours are emitted from the septic tank system.



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