Chances are, if you’re reading this column, you either live somewhere with a septic system (also known as an onsite sewage system or OSS) or know someone that does. In fact, close to 90 percent of Brown County’s residents live in homes with a septic system.
Septic systems can tend to be “out of sight, out of mind.” But effective wastewater treatment is a critical part of modern life, so it’s important that you understand the general requirements of a septic system as well as know the specific location and type of your personal septic system.
As you start to ponder (the possible mystery of) your septic system, you may be asking yourself some of the following questions:
How can I locate my septic system?
If you don’t already have records and a drawing for your system, the first place to check is with the Brown County Health Department. They can send you any information they have in their files for your property.
Unfortunately, it’s only been since 1990 that all new septic systems had to be mapped and on file with the local health department, so if your home was built before that, there may be no records available.
If that’s the case, but you know the installer or previous owner, it’s always worth checking with them to see if they have any information on the layout of the system.
Alternately, you can hire an installer to locate and map the system for you, or read up online how to do this yourself. You can find a list of approved installers on the Brown County Health Department’s website.
How does a traditional septic system work?
There are several different types of septic systems, but traditional systems are made up of three main parts: the septic tank, the distribution box and the absorption field.
Wastewater enters the tank after it leaves the home. Once there, the solids in the wastewater separate from the liquid effluent over a period of about 24 hours.
Greases and fats are lighter and tend to float to the top of the tank, forming a scum layer.
The heavier wastewater particles settle to the bottom, forming a layer of sludge.
In between the sludge and scum layers is the liquid portion (or clarified effluent) that is discharged into a soil absorption field.
Baffles at the tank’s outlet should ensure the sludge and scum layers remain in the tank; these materials resist treatment by the bacteria that break down the effluent and may clog distribution pipes and pores in the soil. Because of this, these materials must be pumped from the tank periodically.
The soil absorption field is where the final treatment processes take place. Effluent flows from the tank, to a distribution box, through several solid pipes, and into a series of parallel trenches in the soil.
Once in the soil, pathogens are removed from the wastewater by several different processes before the now-treated wastewater rejoins the groundwater supply.
How can I maintain and extend the lifespan of my septic system?
Sometimes you’ll hear the argument that septic systems are “free” when compared to paying a monthly sewer bill, but the truth is septic systems have a high cost of initial installation, periodic maintenance requirements, and a finite usable lifespan before replacement is needed.
However, much like your roof, furnace, or other major household systems, there are steps you can take to maintain and extend the life of your septic system.
Conserve water. The soil in an absorption field can only accept so much liquid at one time. Putting less water into the system and soil absorption field is an important part of extending the life of your septic system. There are several ways to manage water use, including:
Install water-saving toilets, faucets and showerheads.
Repair plumbing leaks immediately.
Pay attention to laundry. Choose water-efficient washers, wash full loads whenever possible, and space out loads of laundry throughout the week.
Control what goes into the system. In order for your septic system to function properly, different types of wastes (greases/oils, solids and liquids) must be able to separate into layers within the septic tank, and bacteria must be present to sufficiently treat the liquid waste prior to it reaching the groundwater. Anything that adds unnecessary solids or oils to the tank, could kill the bacteria, or cannot be digested by the bacteria could cause septic system failure. See the infobox with this column for examples of things you should not put down your drains.
Protect the absorption field.
Keep stormwater runoff and vehicles off the absorption field. Excess water and soil compaction reduce the ability of the absorption field to properly treat liquid waste.
Promote vigorous grass growth.
Don’t plant trees or shrubs nearby.
Map your system.
Perform periodic inspection and maintenance.
Clean the septic tank outlet filter.
Inspect the system.
Clean out the septic tank.
Septic systems may seem mysterious or overwhelming, but there are numerous resources available to help homeowners understand how to care for and manage their septic systems.
If you’d like to learn more, I’d encourage you to attend the Septic Summit planned for Tuesday evening, Sept. 3 at the Brown County Fairgrounds. More information on vendors, speakers and event specifics will come later.
Much of the information in this column was adapted from Purdue Extension educational resources, with free copies of the full articles available at https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu:
HENV-1: “What is an on-site sewage (septic) system failure? And what to do about it?”
HENV-105: “Cleaning an Onsite Sewage System”
HENV-106: “Keep the ‘Dirty Dozen’ Out of Your Onsite Sewage System (Septic Tank)”
HENV-107: “Operating and Maintaining an Onsite Sewage System”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”On septic? Don’t put these things down your drains” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
KITCHEN: Oil, grease, large food particles, coffee grounds, paper towels, cigarette butts
BATHROOM: Pharmaceuticals, feminine products, non-biodegradable toilet paper, contraceptives, diapers and baby wipes, dental floss
LAUNDRY ROOM: Powdered laundry detergents, household cleaners, bleach, arts and crafts remnants (like glue, paint, etc.), cat litter, lint
GARAGE: Fertilizers, pesticides, paints or paint thinner, mechanical oil, gasoline, solvents
[sc:pullout-text-end]Kara Hammes, MPH, is the Brown County Purdue Extension educator for Health and Human Sciences and Agriculture and Natural Resources. She also served on the Brown County Health Department’s Septic Ordinance Committee to create the draft ordinance currently under review by the Brown County Board of Health. She can be reached at 812-988-5495 or [email protected].
