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Do:- Use water saving fixtures. Use sensible water conservation practices.
- Use
the washing machine sparingly on a daily basis. Wash one or two loads daily rather than saving all for a washday.
- Maintain
faucets and other fixtures on a regular basis. Leaking should not occur when not in use.
- Have your septic tanks, boxes,
and Drainfield system evaluated regularly.
- Have all tanks and distribution boxes pumped and cleaned once every three
to five years.
- Add additional tanks if you install a garbage disposer or jetted tub.
- Keep a record of the
septic tank(s), distribution box(es) and drainfield design layout and of the pumping schedule.
- Consult your local
health department or consultant before installing structures on your property, home additions, swimming pools, decks, patios,
parking, cable lines, sprinkler systems, gardens or other soil disturbing practices.
- Consider preventative design
practices. The installation of multiple tanks in series insures longer drainfield life and is very cost effective when the
expense and inconvenience of repairs are considered.
Don’t:- Use excessive amounts
of water in short periods of time. For example, spread out your laundry through the week rather than doing it all in one day.
- Dump
grease or coffee grinds down the drain or dispose of household and automotive chemicals, insecticides, herbicides, or petroleum
products in a Drainfield system. Septic tanks are not designed to decompose these materials.
- Dispose of sanitary napkins,
tampons, disposable diapers, plastics or synthetic rubber products.
- Use drain cleaners, plumber's helper, yeast,
bacteria, enzymes, etc. These materials are not good for septic systems and are normally a waste of money.
- Place bark,
sawdust or plastic mulch over the Drainfield systems.
- Place lawn irrigation systems on or contiguous to septic tank
drainfields.
- Plant maple, weeping willow, sycamore, cottonwood, locust or bamboo in or near a drainfield.
- Use
the drainfield area for growing a vegetable garden.
- Park a vehicle, place structures, cut and fill or otherwise abuse
the Drainfield or the reserve drainfield or any area within 25 feet of the drainfield.
- Destroy the old drainfield
after a repair. They will become serviceable after five to eight years.
- Discharge back flush water from water treatment
equipment or swimming pools into a septic system. Sodium from this process cause soils to lose structure, which is essential
to good percolation. Failure of the system will result from improper discharge from these systems.
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