What is a septic system and how does it work?
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A septic system is an onsite system to treat or hold solid and liquid waste from sinks, bathtubs, showers and toilets. Watch septic expert Rob Davis explain how septic systems work.
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How can I keep my septic system working properly?
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If you rent your property to others or have guests staying with you, make sure they are aware of the dos and don'ts.
Do:
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- Familiarize yourself with the location of your septic system
- Keep the tank access lid secured to the riser at all times
- Keep an as built system diagram in a safe place for reference
- Keep accurate records of septic system maintenance and service calls
- Test your well water at least three times a year (spring, summer and fall) for indicator bacteria
- Have your tank inspected for sludge and scum buildup on a regular basis (3-5 years) and clean out when a third of the depth of your tanks is full of sludge and scum
- Have your effluent filter checked and cleaned every year – if you don't have an effluent filter consider adding one
- Divert surface water away from your leaching bed
- Conserve water in the house to reduce the amount of wastewater that must be treated
- Repair leaky plumbing fixtures
- Replace inefficient toilets with low-flush models
- Consider installing a lint filler on your washing machine's discharge pipe
- Spread the number of loads of laundry throughout the week
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Do not:
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- Enter a tank – gasses and lack of oxygen can be fatal
- Put cooking oils or food waste down the drain
- Flush hazardous chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cigarette butts or sanitary products
- Use garbage disposal unit/garburator unless your system has been designed for it
- Use special additives that claiming to enhance the performance of your tank or system – you do not need them!
- Dig without knowing the location of your leaching bed
- Drive or park over your tank or leaching bed
- Pave over your leaching bed
- Allow livestock on the leaching bed
- Plant trees or shrubs too close to the septic tank or leaching bed
- Connect rain gutters, storm drains, sump pumps or allow surface water to drain into a septic system
- Connect leaching bed or greywater system to agricultural field drainage
- Discharge water softener backwash to the septic system unless your system has been designed for it
- Drain hot tub and spa water to the septic system
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How will I know if there is a problem with my septic system?
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- Sinks, showers and toilets back up with sewage or drain slowly
- The lawn over the leaching bed has patches of abnormally healthy-looking grass
- There are soggy areas, areas with surfacing grey water, or areas with surfacing sewage on or near the leaching bed
- The lawn above the leaching bed is wet
- There is a sewage odour in your home or over the area of your leaching bed
- Large amounts of algae growth occur in or around nearby lakes or water bodies
- Nearby well water tests indicate high levels of nitrates, bacteria, or other contaminants
- Dosing pumps, if your system has them, run constantly or not at all
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What should I do if I suspect a problem with my septic system?
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Contact a qualified septic contractor to conduct an inspection to determine if a problem exists and possible remedies. Any repairs or replacements of any of the components (tank, leaching bed) will require a building permit. The Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association (OOWA) has resources available to find qualified contractors.
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