Reducing Health Advisories in Area Waterways: Part 1 – Maintaining Your Septic System

One of the top concerns with residents in our communities is water quality.  Surveys I have conducted with the public support this statement.  One of the top concerns with water quality in the coastal areas is health advisories.  These are issued when concentrations of selected fecal bacteria are too high.

In coastal areas, the selected bacteria are Enterococcus.  It is important to note that Enterococcus bacteria are found in the digestive systems of birds and mammals.  So, its presence does not automatically mean there is human waste in the water.  However, there are pathogens associated with bird and mammal waste humans should be concerned about.  And very high concentrations are most likely due to human waste.  Science is working on additional methods to confirm high levels of Enterococcus are human.  It is assumed that these will one day be used.

Enterococcus bacteria are used in coastal waters due to their ability to tolerate higher salinity.  Some species, such as E. coli, that are used in freshwater systems die in saline ones.  This suggests that the waste is not there, when in fact it is.  It is also important to know that Enterococcus bacteria in themselves are not health concern for us.  They are in our digestive tracts.  But their presence in the water indicates that waste is present and there are pathogens in this waste that are of concern – hence the advisories issued.

In this series we will look at three methods we can use to help reduce human waste from entering our local waterways.  Those are (1) maintaining your septic system, (2) converting your septic system to sewer, and (3) maintaining your sewer lines.  We will begin with maintaining your septic system.

Septic systems have been used in rural and suburban communities where sewer systems have not been available for decades.  Even today, the growth of new neighborhoods is outpacing the sewer infrastructure to support them.  Many of these new communities are using septic systems.  If properly placed and maintained, septic systems can work well. But many are not placed in good locations, and most are not maintained.

The system begins with the water leaving your home and entering a large tank made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene buried in the yard.  The average size of these tanks is 1000 gallons, but – depending on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in the house, they could be larger.  Here the sewage sits.  Over time the solid waste will settle on the bottom (sludge) while the fats, oils, and grease float to the surface.  The liquid layer in the middle (effluent) will flow from the tank into a series of smaller perforated drainpipes that slowly discharge into a drain field.  A properly designed drain field will have a layer of sand that will allow draining of the effluent to occur.

Let’s talk about how to maintain this system.

1. Do not overload the system with too much water. The tank is designed for a specific number of bedrooms/bathrooms.  Overusing water can fill the tank and initiate leaking before the sewage has had time to settle.  Watch your water use.
2. Watch what you are flushing down the drain. Fats, oils, grease, and even milk will solidify and clog the lines.  There are many products that describe themselves as “flushable”.  They are, but they are not biodegradable.  These two will cause clogs and backups in the system.  Some harsh cleaning products can harm the bacteria within the tank who are breaking down the waste – these should be avoided.  Also avoid using the garbage disposal.  Septic systems were designed for water and sewage, not garbage and food.  Compost your food waste instead.
3. Periodically have your tank pumped and inspected. This is a step that many do not follow and can lead to leaking of untreated sewage into local waterways.  It is recommended that you have your septic tank pumped and inspected once every 3-5 years.  There are several businesses in your area who do this type of work.  They can also provide advice on how to better maintain your specific system.
4. Protect your drain field. Do not drive over this area of your lawn.  Vehicles can compact the porous soil needed for efficient percolation and possible crack pipes.  Planting trees and shrubs in this area can introduce roots into the lines, plant shallow root plants only.  Design your landscape so that rainwater does not flow over the drain field during storms.  The draining of your system is designed to be a slow process, allowing both physical and biological treatment of the waste to occur before reaching any water source.  Rain and flooding conditions impede this from happening.

Developing a septic maintenance plan for your property can help reduce the number of health advisories your community will see.  For more information contact your county health department or extension office.