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Your Septic System: Its Not Out-of-Sight, It's On-Site!

Jennifer Johnson

"Out of sight, out of mind." A septic system is an investment that can be easy to ignore. When something goes wrong with the septic system, it can be a dramatic reminder that, like any large investment, your septic system requires regular care and maintenance. Surfacing sewage in the yard, showers and toilets that back up, and a repair bill in the thousands are a few examples of how dramatic those reminders can get! This drama can be avoided by following some basic guidelines.

Septic systems require regular maintenance in order to work smoothly. Regular maintenance involves learning what type of system you have, and inspecting and pumping it as necessary. Thurston County Public Health recommends inspecting the septic tank every 3-5 years. You may need your system pumped earlier or may be able to go longer depending on the number of people living in the home, amount of water used, the age of the system, and the soil conditions. Hire a professional service to inspect your tank and get on a pumping schedule that is suited to your particular household.

A gallon in, a gallon out

Although there are several different types of septic systems permitted in Thurston County, there are basic parts of the system shared by all. Every system has a septic tank and a drainfield. The tank is a holding chamber that allows solids to settle to the bottom, scum to float on top and a middle zone to transfer clear liquid from the tank to the drainfield. In most systems, for every gallon of water that comes into the tank through the plumbing in the house, a gallon of water is pushed out into the pipes of the drainfield. The liquid effluent then trickles from holes in the pipe into gravel and the soil for final treatment. Water conservation is an important part of protecting the septic system to prevent stirring up the tank too much and pushing solids out into the drainfield.

If the soil quality of your house site cannot support a drainfield, alternative systems exist. Most new systems are pressurized with a pump that doses wastewater out into the drainfield and spreads it more evenly. Sand filter systems and mounds are drainfields that are engineered to treat sewage in areas where the native soil is not able to. Aerobic treatment units and Bio Filters are examples of more complex systems that can work in challenging conditions. Many of these systems need professional monitoring and special attention to make sure that they are working properly. Regular monitoring means that small problems can be caught before they turn into messier, more expensive problems.

To help maintain your septic system, regardless of which type you have, keep in mind: know where all of the components of your system are located to prevent driving or paving over them. If you are not sure what type of system you have, or where the various components are located, contact the Permit Assistance Center at 786-5490 and request a record drawing of your system. You will need to know your tax parcel number to access this document.

There are several steps you can take to avoid septic system malfunctions:
Conserve water and space out laundry, dishes, and cleaning to avoid overloading the system; inspect and/or pump the tank every three to five years; limit household use of bleach and strong cleaning products that can disrupt the biological balance of the septic system; don't use additives in place of pumping; avoid using garbage disposals because they can clog up systems; don't dispose of materials such as hazardous products, dental floss, feminine products, condoms, fats and greases.

Come to a free educational workshop sponsored by Thurston County Environmental Health Division to educate yourself on your investment and its connection to public and environmental health. A coupon for $10 off tank pumping, as well as many take-home materials, will be provided for participation in the workshops.

October 1
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Lacey Fire Station #34 8407 Steilacoom Rd NE, Lacey ||
October 8
7:00pm - 9:00pm
South Bay Fire Station 3506 Shincke Rd NE, Olympia
October 16
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Thurston Co Courthouse Bldg 1, Rm 152 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW, Olympia
October 22
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Yelm Fire Station 709 Mill Rd, Yelm

Register at (360) 754-4111 or e-mail johnsoj@co.thurston.wa.us; the TDD line is (360) 754-2933; our web address is http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehoss/index.html

Jennifer Johnson works for Thurston County


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Updated 2015/01/07 21:14:22