Your onsite treatment system represents a significant investment which you will want to protect.  "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" was never more true than it is with onsite system care.  With proper operation and regular maintenance, your system will function better and last longer.  Committing a little attention to the care of your system is the best way to avoid the nightmare of a failing system.  Read and follow the do's and don'ts for trouble free operation.

 

Do's:	Dont's:
Do conserve water to reduce the amount of wastewater that must be treated and disposed.	Don't use a garbage grinder (disposal).
Do repair any leaking toilets or faucets.	Don't flush sanitary napkins, tampons, disposable diapers, condoms and other non-biodegradable products into your system.
Do only discharge biodegradable products into your system.	Don't dump solvents, oils, paints, thinners, disinfectants, pesticides or poisons down the drain which can disrupt the treatment process and contaminate the ground water.
Do divert downspouts and other surface water away from your drainfield.	Don't dig or allow anyone to dig in your drainfield or build anything over it.
Do keep your septic tank cover (lid) accessible for tank inspections and pumping.	Don't plant anything over your drainfield except grass.
Do have your septic tank pumped regularly.  Ask your pumper to check for leaks and cracks.	Don't drive over your drainfield or compact soil in any way.
Do call a professional when you have problems.	Don't allow the backflush of water softeners to drain into your system.
Do compost your garbage or put in the trash.	Don't use commercial septic tank additives.  None of these products have proven to be effective in improving septic system operation.
	Don't use excessive amounts of toilet bowl cleaners or chemical drain openers since they kill the beneficial bacteria in the system.