A guide to do’s and don’ts for your septic tank

Whatever enters your septic tank system can greatly affect its preformance. Your septic system uses living organisms to digest and treat the waste. As a guide, don’t throw away anything in your septic system which could just as easily be deposited into the bin. Your system isn’t designed to be a waste bin, solids will build up in the septic tank which will eventually need to be pumped. The more solids that go into the tank, the more frequently the tank will need to be pumped, and the higher the risk that problems will arise. Educate everyone within your household about what is and what isn’t good for septic systems and you could save a lot of money and headaches, whilst prolonging the life of your system and the health of your family, property and the environment.

Do

• Dispose of solids appropriately. The only things that should be flushed down the toilet are wastewater and toilet paper.
• Dispose of chemicals and fuels at approved waste sites.
• Dispose of grease with the regular rubbsh. In addition, a grease interceptor between the kitchen sink and the septic tank is often recommended.
• Use household cleaners such as bleach, disinfectants, and drain and toilet bowl cleaners in moderation and only in accordance with product labels. Overuse of these products can harm your system.
• Return leftover medications to your pharmacy. Also be aware that human wastes from people on medication (e.g. antibiotics) can affect the performance of your septic system and may require more frequent pumping of your tank.

Don’t

• Do not put cigarette butts, paper towels, sanitary tampons, condoms, disposable diapers, anything plastic or similar non-biodegradables into a septic tank system.
• Avoid washing food scraps, coffee grinds, and other food items down the drain, scrape dishes into the bin instead. Avoid using a sink waste disposal unit, these can increase sludge accumulation by upto 40 per cent. Compost kitchen wastes (organic matter) instead
• Use a drain catcher to stop food bits from going down the drain.
• Don’t put cooking grease down the drains. It can solidify and clog pipes.
• Never put oil, gasoline, paint thinners, solvents, photographic chemicals, weed or insect killers down the drain. They can poison your septic system and possibly threaten water supplies for your whole neighbourhood. Even latex paint is unhealthy for your septic system.
• Don’t use chemical drain cleaners or chemical-based cleaning products.
• Don’t dispose of pharmaceuticals down your drains or toilets.