JCPH :: Working for a safer and healthier Jefferson | Septic Information

Septic systems serve the large majority of residents who live in rural areas, and can be a major factor in our quality of life. Improperly functioning systems can be a health hazard, a nuisance, and a source of water quality problems.

Unfortunately, little high quality information is readily available while untruths and confusion abound. Here are some of the more common myths:

MYTH: The best way to maintain a septic system is with the philosophy that “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it”.

TRUTH: It is easy to forget about the septic system that serves our home. Buried in the yard, our first thoughts of maintenance often happen after we experience problems with the system. Few of us would drive a car for 15 years without changing the oil, yet we frequently wait for a breakdown to remind ourselves of the need to maintain our septic systems.

MYTH: If I call the Health Department to discuss septic system problems, they will force me into a costly repair or condemn my property.

TRUTH: The task of the Health Department is to prevent health hazards through the use of properly functioning septic systems. The department has learned that the best way to install high quality septic systems and to correct malfunctioning ones is to work cooperatively with property owners, rather than against them. It is not in the best interest of either the community or the environment for the Health Department to rely heavily on legal authority to accomplish its objectives.

TRUTH: Septic system failure typically occurs in the drainfield, not in the tank. The septic tank is nothing more than a reservoir that holds about 3 days of household water usage. The purpose of the tank is to settle out solids, let grease and lighter material float to the surface, and discharge only clear liquid called effluent into the drainfield. Pumping of the tank is required before the solids have accumulated in the tank and begin to spill over into the drainfield. Within a few days of being pumped, the tank will refill with wastewater and will, once again, begin to discharge effluent into the drainfield.

MYTH: Septic system additives consist of enzymes which facilitate the bacterial breakdown of sewage. Because the human body uses enzymes in most of its metabolic processes, they are already plentiful in sewage. As a result, additives are not necessary for the adequate decomposition of waste materials. Ins some cases, additives can be harmful to the system by breaking down solid waste in the tank. These smaller particles then move into the drainfield where they clog the soil and can irreversibly damage the system.

MYTH: Garbage disposals, leaky faucets, and high water consumption do not impact my septic system.

TRUTH: Like almost anything else, septic systems can be damaged through improper use. The use of a garbage disposal subjects the system to a greatly increased accumulation of solid material in the tank and will necessitate more frequent pumping. Excessive water use, leaking appliances, or high peaks in water consumption such as that caused by multiple loads of laundry, dramatically increase the amount of effluent that must move through the septic tank and out of the drainfield area. Household practices can determine whether the system will continue to operate properly for a number of years.

TRUTH: Some problems, like clogging of the tank by soap crystals or grease, can be corrected by pumping and cleaning. Likewise, broken tank baffles, crushed pipes, or pump failures can be identified during pumping. If failure is caused by saturation or plugging of the soil in the drainfield, however, simple pumping will not remedy the problem. An evaluation of the system is necessary to determine the extent of the damage and decide on the next course of action. The true value of pumping is in preventing future damage to the drainfield.

TRUTH: Many septic systems have operated well for 50 years or more, while some have failed in less than a year. The average lifetime for existing systems has been 20-30 years. With an increasing awareness of system sizing, siting, and installation, today’s installations should be able to last even longer. Whether they do, or do not, is dependent on each of us who use their systems every day.

TRUTH: A septic system can be equated to a car, with the tank as a body and the drainfield as the engine. While important to its overall use, the role of the body is to support the operation of the engine. It is the engine that is the primary working part of the vehicle, and which is dependent on the careful operation and maintenance by the user. A concerned owner can keep an older engine operational while the careless owner can ruin a perfectly good one through abuse and neglect. So it is with the drainfield. As the most critical part of the system as well as the most expensive component, proper care of the drainfield should be of primary importance to all septic system users.

Information on financial assistance which may be available to property owners to repair or upgrade their on-site sewage systems.

Workshops for understanding, operating and maintaining your on-site sewage system.

Septic System Myths & Truths