Do you know whether your home is served by a septic system? Yes No
Do you know where your drainfield is? Yes No
Is the system adequate for your family’s present needs? Yes No
Do you have records of the system installation? Yes No
The homeowner who knows the history and location of the septic system can use that information when making important decisions. Wise choices regarding the building of porches, decks, and additions must address septic tank and drainfield location.
Even a decision to till a new garden area could lead to expensive repairs if the system lies just beneath the soil surface. Septic system information may be available. Check with the Permit Center.
DOMESTIC WATER USAGE
Do you have water saving appliances or adaptors?
Toilet Shower Washing Machine
Do you leave faucets on or ignore them if they drip? Yes No
Which do you take, showers or baths?
Showers Baths
Describe your water usage.
Low Moderate High
Domestic water consumption is one of the most critical ways that a property owner can affect the septic system. A careless family can easily overload the system.
Take a look at your water usage this past week. Drop some food coloring in the toilet tank. If color shows in bowl, a leak is present. Could you run fewer loads of laundry? Could everybody trim a few minutes off of the time they spend in the shower? Would this be a good time to fix the dripping faucet and install flow restrictors?
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
How long has it been since you pumped your tank?
1-5 years 5-10 years 10 + years
Do you have root invasive plants such as poplar, willow, or lilacs growing over your drainfield?
Yes No
Have you used septic system additives?
Yes No
Do you dispose of cigarette butts, tampons, grease or other non-biodegradable items into the septic system?
Yes No
Do you have a garbage disposal?
Yes No
Proper maintenance is the other way the property owner can dramatically extend the life of the septic system. Pumping the tank removes solid materials from the tank which may build up excessively and move into the drainfield.
Failure to pump when needed can result in expensive damage to the drainfield which subsequent pumping will not reverse. The need to pump varies widely between households but a conservative estimate is every 3-5 years. Use of system additives and enzymes is not recommended and can cause irreversible and expensive damage to the drainfield.
One sure way of reducing the need for pumping is by reducing the loading of organic matter or other unsuitable materials into the system. The use of a garbage disposal dramatically increases the quantity of solid waste that enters the tank. In addition to necessitating more frequent pumping, the finely ground up particles can move into the drainfield clogging the soil pores, and cause drainfield failure.
PROTECTION FOR THE FUTURE
Do you know where the drainfield reserve/repair area is?
Yes No
Is any part of the septic system covered by a building, pavement, plastic or densely compacted soil?
Yes No
Have you ever driven over your drainfield?
Yes No
Do your roof, footing, or subsurface drains discharge on or near the drainfield?
Yes No
To provide proper bacteriological treatment in the drainfield, the soils must be uncompacted, undisturbed, and open to free air exchange. Covering the field or compacting the soil prevents proper bacteriological action.
Similarly, the reserve area must be protected so that it is suitable for drainfield replacement. Grading, clearing, leveling or driving on the reserve area may make it unsuitable for drainfield use. Obviously, the tank must also be protected from vehicular traffic and also remain available for pumping.
Excessive surface water over the drainfield can also affect the functioning of the septic system. Roof drains which discharge can virtually drown the system during periods of heavy rain.
Drainage from streets, driveways, and adjoining properties should also be diverted away from the system. Never run storm drainage into the septic system. Subsurface water movement can be diverted by the careful use of curtain drains. Care must me taken, however, that curtain drains are located in such a way that they do not pick up sewage effluent.
NEED HELP?
No-cost assistance is available in the following ways:
Information on financial assistance which may be available to property owners to repair or upgrade their on-site sewage systems.
General information on septic systems and water quality.
Workshops for understanding, operating and maintaining your on-site sewage system.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jefferson County Public Health Environmental Health Division 615 Sheridan Port Townsend WA 98368 360.385.9444
