| Fulton County Health
Department |
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125
E 9 th St. Rochester, IN 46975 (574) 223-7730 |
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| Homeowner’s Guide
to SEPTIC SYSTEMS |
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are the owner and operator of a waste water disposal system |
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responsible for it care and maintenance |
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key reason to maintain your septic system is to save money! Failing septic
systems are expensive to repair or replace, and poor maintenance is often the
culprit. If you sell your home, your septic system must be in good working
order |
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| Septic Tank Start-Up |
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| Late
spring or summer is general1y considered the best time to begin operation. To
start, simply begin using the tank. It is not necessary to fill the tank with
water before use, although hot water should be added to the system initial1y
as often as possible (particularly if starting up in winter). |
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the solids begin to accumulate in the tank, the natural bacterial digestion
process will begin. |
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| Septic Tank Clean-Out |
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| Even
the best designed and operated septic system eventually fails unless the
sludge and floating scum are periodically pumped from the tank. If not
removed, solids will overflow into and clog the soil absorption field. |
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| Garbage
Disposals are not recommended due to excess solids added
to a septic tank |
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| Generally
septic tanks should be cleaned out at least every 3-5 years, depending on the size of the tank |
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| Commercial septic tank additives will not eliminate the need for periodic clean-out. |
| Additives
are not recommended and some can actually damage the system |
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| Out of site out of mind ? The State
Department of Health estimates that 300,000 homes are
not on a sewer system. One could very conservatively estimate 200
gallon per day of wastewater per house or 600 million gallons per day of
wastewater put into the Indiana environment. |
| The
soil is the system; it accepts and treats the wastewater. A majority of
Indiana’s soils have limitations for a conventional septic system and a
modified septic is needed in those soils to adequately accept and treat the
wastewater. |
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| How do I maintain
my septic system? |
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| Pump frequently |
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| You
should have your septic system inspected at least every 3 years by a
professional and your tank pumped as necessary (generally every 3 to 5
years). |
| Use water efficiently |
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| Average
indoor water use in the typical single-family home is almost 70 gallons per
person per day. Dripping faucets can waste about 2,000 gallons of water each
year. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day. The more water
a household conserves, the less water enters the septic system. |
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Spread washing out over the week so as not to flood the
system and stir up solids in the tank |
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Fill the bathtub with only as much water as you need |
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Turn off faucets while shaving or brushing your teeth |
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Run the dishwasher and clothes washer only when they’re
full |
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Use toilets to flush sanitary waste only (not kitty
litter, diapers, or other trash) |
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Make sure all faucets are completely turned off when not
in use |
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Maintain your plumbing to eliminate leaks |
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Install aerators in the faucets in your kitchen and
bathroom |
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| Replace
old dishwashers, toilets, and clothes washers with new, high-efficiency
models |
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| Flush responsibly |
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| Dental
floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette
butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, paper towels, and other kitchen and
bathroom items can clog and potentially damage septic system components. |
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| Flushing household chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides,
antifreeze, and paint can stress or destroy the biological treatment taking
place in the system or might contaminate surface waters and groundwater. Household cleaners and detergents in normal usage should not
interfere with the operation of a septic system. |
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| There is more to
a septic than the drains working. |
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| A
malfunctioning system can contaminate groundwater that might be a source of
drinking water. |
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| How to treat your drain
field |
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Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots
from nearby trees or shrubs might clog and damage the drainfield. |
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| • Don’t drive or park vehicles on any
part of your septic system. Doing so can compact the soil in your drainfield
or damage the pipes, tank, or other septic system components. |
| • Keep roof drains, basement sump pump
drains, and other rainwater or surface water drainage systems away from the
drainfield. Flooding the drainfield with excessive
water slows down or stops treatment processes and can cause plumbing fixtures
to back up. |
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Do not allow rain water to puddle on top of the drainfield
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| For More information |
| Purdue University |
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| http://persephone.agcom.purdue.edu/AgCom/Pubs/ID/ID-142.html
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| EPA |
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| http://cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/home.cfm
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| Both
of the above were used as sources for this sheet 10-04 |
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