Septic Tank Owners Maintenance & Tips

In Ontario the home owner is responsible for maintaining their septic system. Failure to properly maintain your septic system can lead to contaminated ground water.  That is why if your source of drinking water is a well you should have it tested on a regular basis.

Most potential purchasers will require any maintenance or pumping information you have available for both your well and septic system.  The typical septic system consists of a septic tank and a leaching bed.

Since the 1970’s most septic systems have consisted of perforated pipes surrounded by stone and sand.  If the sand is not available on site it would have to be imported in. The field has a biofilm at the bottom of the stone and sand which is the final filter before the effluent enters the natural soil.

All the waste water from your home goes to your septic tank.  The primary chamber allows all the solids to settle before the water moves to the second chamber where any remaining particles should settle.  The baffle prevents any floating particles from entering your bed.  The expected life span of a septic tank is approximately 30 years.  Over use can shorten it life span considerably which is why it is important that a system be properly sized for the house it is serving.

You should keep all toxic and hazardous chemicals out of your septic tank system. Avoid washing coffee grounds and other food items down your drain. Grease and cooking oils create a layer of scum in your septic tank and should not be disposed of down your drain.  Plastics, dental floss, paper towels, tampons, cigarette butts and kitty litter should not be disposed of by your toilet.

A quick check of the septic tank can determine whether you need a plumber of a septic pumper.  If your septic tank is full to the lid then your drainage field has a problem.  If the tank is down 6 -8 inches check the inlet to see if there is any  clogging from grease or other products.

Using a garbage disposal can increase your solids by as much as 50% and are not recommended for use in septic tanks. Water softeners pump large amounts of water into your septic system and the salt can be harmful to the bacteria in your tank.

There are two types of Tertiary Treatment systems, that must be approved by the Building Materials Evaluation Commission prior to use in Ontario, passive and aerobic systems.  The passive system filters the sewage to produce the required final effluent and the aerobic system has an active blower which adds air to sewage increasing bacterial growth.

When purchasing a new property ask your realtor for drawings or site plans showing location and the date the septic system was installed.  Most municipalities or health departments keep these records on file.  Having you septic tank pumped and inspected by a trained member of Ontario Association of Sewage Industry Services should be done prior to purchasing property.