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2.Septic System Maintenance - Have The Tank Pumped
By Sharon Skipton, UNL Extension Educator and Jan Hygnstrom, UNL Extension Project Manager
Most acreage residents live in areas that do not have access to a public wastewater treatment system. Instead, they rely on their own private system for wastewater treatment. The most common onsite system used is a septic tank in combination with a traditional drainfield. Proper maintenance is critical to keep the system functioning properly. One important rule for maintenance is to have the septic tank pumped regularly.
In a septic system, wastewater flows from the household wastewater plumbing into an underground septic tank. There, waste components naturally separate, with heavier solids settling to the bottom forming sludge, and lighter solids floating to the top forming scum. Bacteria partially decompose and liquefy some of the solids. The liquid (effluent) flows through the outlet to the subsurface drainfield. Sludge and scum build up in the tank and could be carried to the drainfield if the tank is not pumped regularly. This will clog the drainfield and not allow wastewater to be treated.
How often does a tank need to be pumped? That depends on the number of people living in the home, water use, and whether a garbage disposal is used. Many experts recommend pumping a tank every two to three years. A tank may need to be pumped more or less often. A safe approach is to have the tank pumped a year after you begin using it. Before pumping it, a certified pumper can check the tank and measure the scum and sludge layers. Based on what he sees, he can give you an idea of what your pumping interval should be. Very specific guidelines are used to determine if the tank needs to be pumped. Once the pumping interval is established, use that interval until there is a change in water use patterns. Additional people living in the home, children becoming teenagers, the installation of a garbage disposal, or the addition of a whirlpool tub could all increase wastewater generation, requiring more frequent pumping. On the other hand, fewer people living in the home could decrease wastewater generation, requiring less frequent pumping.
Only a certified professional may pump the tank. A good pumper will pump wastewater through the manhole or access port, not the inspection pipe. They will loosen and stir up materials, and then pump again. They will check that baffles or tees in the tank are in place and working. And lastly, they will dispose of septage from the tank in a safe, legal manner.
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3. Septic Tanks Must Be Pumped By Certified Professionals
By Sharon Skipton, UNL Extension Educator and Jan Hygnstrom, UNL Extension Project Manager
As of January 1, 2004, it is illegal for anyone to pump septic tanks, including homeowners pumping their own tanks, unless they are certified by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ). Homeowner pumping of septic tanks and land-application of the septage has been a common practice in rural Nebraska areas. However, it is illegal to do so without proper certification. Septage that is improperly handled and applied can be a public health hazard due to the pathogens it contains, and can be harmful to the environment if pathogens, organic matter, or nutrients enter lakes, streams or groundwater. There are also Federal regulations and recordkeeping requirements for the proper disposal, including land application, of septage.
The Private On-site Wastewater Treatment System Contractors Certification and System Registration Act requires anyone who works on a septic system to apply to NDEQ to become certified to perform the work. The requirement for certification includes pre-installation tasks such as doing a site evaluation, a soil evaluation, or a percolation test. It also covers all aspects of working on a system including designing, installing, inspecting, repairing, or altering. And, it includes pumping and disposal of the septage.
If a homeowner wants to pump a tank, including his or her own, he or she must be certified. NDEQ has developed a comprehensive certification program, which includes requirements for continuing education and examination for competency. According to NDEQ staff, individuals pumping a tank without proper certification are in violation of NDEQ regulations and subject to enforcement action including potential fines.
Over 500 individuals throughout the state are currently certified to engage in work related to on-site systems in Nebraska, including over 200 certified to do septic tank pumping. NDEQ has posted a list of certified professionals on their web site at http://www.deq.state.ne.us/. Contact NDEQ at 402-471-2186 for additional information regarding state regulations.
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4. Septic System Maintenance: Protect The Drainfield
By Sharon Skipton, UNL Extension Educator and Jan Hygnstrom, UNL Extension Project Manager
The second part of a traditional septic system is a drainfield. A few precautions will help keep the drainfield functioning properly for many years. Excess water should be kept away from the drainfield , as it will reduce the ability of wastewater to percolate through the soil. Percolation is necessary for proper wastewater treatment. The drainfield should not be compacted; compaction will prevent it from treating wastewater properly. The structural integrity of the drainfield must be maintained. Follow these tips to protect the drainfield.
- Divert water from roofs, down spouts, or any other surface water runoff away from the area of the drainfield.
- Do not add large amounts of water to the drainfield by using underground sprinklers. Use a manually operated sprinkler only if it is necessary to maintain the grass cover.
- Do not drive vehicles or agricultural equipment over the drainfield.
- Do not site dog kennels or other animal confinement units over the drainfield.
- Do not construct driveways, parking lots, sidewalks, patios, or buildings over the septic tank or drainfield.
- Do not place additional soil over the drainfield, other than to fill slight depressions. A slight mounding will ensure runoff of surface water.
- Keep rodents and other burrowing animals out of the drainfield area.
- Do not plant trees or other deep-rooted plants near the drainfield. Separation distance recommendations range from 5 to 100 feet from the drainfield, depending on the type of plant. The closer a tree is to the drainfield, the more risk of roots entering and clogging the system. Avoid planting trees such as cottonwoods or willows that have aggressive root systems in the vicinity.
- Establish and maintain grass over the drainfield. Mow grass frequently to encourage growth.
- Reserve a replacement drainfield area and manage it the same as the present drainfield.
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5. Septic System Maintenance: Manage Solids
By Sharon Skipton, UNL Extension Educator and Jan Hygnstrom, UNL Extension Project Manager
Waste components naturally separate in the septic tank. Heavy solids settle to the bottom and form sludge. Light solids float to the top and form scum. Sludge and scum build up in the tank and could be carried to the drainfield if the tank is not pumped often enough.
More solids in wastewater will require more frequent septic tank pumping. Follow these tips to reduce the amount of solids in wastewater:
- Do not flush cigarettes, diapers, feminine hygiene products, paper toweling, or facial tissue. They may not break down readily and will contribute to the scum or sludge layers. Dispose of these items with other solid waste.
- Do not overuse the garbage disposal. It grinds up food products that settle out in the tank, adding considerably to the sludge buildup.
- Do not put grease or oils down the drain. Grease and oils from cooking, frying, and skin lotions increase the scum layer in the septic tank.
- Use liquid detergents instead of powdered detergents. Powdered detergents have “fillers” in them that add to the sludge layer.
- Use toilet tissue that breaks down rapidly. Test by placing a tissue sample in a jar of water, cover the jar opening, and shake vigorously. The toilet paper should fall apart rapidly when shaken.
- Install a filter on the washing machine water discharge line to trap lint, and clean according to manufacturer’s directions.
- Install an effluent filter at the outlet of the septic tank to help prevent solids from flowing into the drainfield. Have it cleaned according to manufacturer’s directions.
A septic tank and drainfield system cannot effectively treat all hazardous materials. Keep potentially hazardous materials out of wastewater by following these tips: Do not dump unwanted pesticides such as herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides down the drain. Do not dump paints, thinners, or solvents down the drain. Do not dump excess medications down the drain. Do not overuse cleaning products, including bleach and drain cleaners, and do not dump excess cleaning products down the drain. A septic system can handle typical amounts used for routine cleaning, as well as normal use amounts of anti-bacterial soaps.
Septic system starters, additives, or feeders are not necessary to keep a system working. In some cases, additives may keep materials suspended in the wastewater and allow them to flow out of the tank where they can clog the drainfield.
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6. Septic System Maintenance: Manage Water Use
By Sharon Skipton, UNL Extension Educator and Jan Hygnstrom, UNL Extension Project Manager
Conserving water and spreading out water use over an extended period of time will extend the life of your septic system. Except for immediately after pumping, a septic tank contains wastewater to its full capacity at all times. As a gallon of wastewater flows into the tank from the house, a gallon of effluent flows out of the tank into the drainfield. Wastewater flowing into the tank should remain in the tank long enough for heavy solids to settle out forming sludge and light solids to float to the top forming scum. This takes at least 24 hours. If wastewater moves in and out of the tank too rapidly due to constant flow for an extended period of time or heavy water flow at any given time, solids will remain suspended in the wastewater and move with the effluent out of the tank and into the drainfield. Solids can clog a drainfield and decrease its ability to treat wastewater. A clogged drainfield might even need to be replaced.
You can conserve water and spread out water use by following these suggestions:
- Wash one or two loads of laundry a day, rather than three or more loads in one day.
- Install low flow water fixtures, low volume toilets, and low water-use appliances when replacing.
- Check for and repair leaky faucets, toilets, and other leaks in the plumbing system.
- Take short showers.
- Turn off the faucet while brushing teeth or shaving.
If you use a water softening unit, select one with demand initiated regeneration. With these units, reneration is triggered only when needed by either measuring gallons of water used, or by measuring the change in the electrical conductivity of the resin bed, or by sensing a change in water hardness. Don’t use older style units set to regenerate after a specified number of days have passed, regardless of water usage.
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7.
Landscaping Septic Systems
By Don Janssen, UNL Extension Educator
Planting is recommended for the soil absorption field as opposed to plastics, bark, or gravel. The vegetation helps with oxygen exchange and evaporation. Drought resistant plants, native to our area, should be considered.
Care should be taken to choose plants with non-invasive root systems to avoid infiltrating the drainfield area, possibly damaging or breaking pipes. For this reason, trees and large shrubs are not recommended. Any vegetation chosen should provide coverage for the drainfield all year long.
Grasses are the most recommended type of vegetation because of their high evapo-transpiration rate. Meadow grasses mixed with wild flowers may also be a good choice because they don’t have to be mowed regularly. Fertilizers and pesticides may be used with caution. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s directions for these products.
Some possible ground covers for sun include: bugleweed (Ajuga), cotoneaster, ground ivy (Glechoma), and periwinkle (Vinca).
Possible shaded areas covers are: ferns, mosses, and sweet woodruff (Gallium).
These are just a small sample of plants that can be used.
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8. Web Site Offers On-site Wastewater Information
By Sharon Skipton, UNL Extension Educator
The University of Nebraska - Lincoln Extension has an onsite wastewater treatment website. The site has two self-guided lessons, one on septic systems and one on residential wastewater lagoons. In addition, it links to twelve Extension publications about onsite wastewater treatment, information on the Multi-Agency On-Site Wastewater Treatment Task Force, the Nebraska On-site Waste Water Association web site, and the Department of Environmental Quality web site.
View the site at: http://wastewater.unl.edu
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