Onsite Program

North Central District Health Department

Improving Lifestyles

Text Box: Septic systems are individual wastewater treatment systems that collect, treat and dispose of wastewater. They are reliable, cost effective and efficient. Septic systems are used where municipal sewers are not available or are impractical. Your septic tank retains wastewater while bacterial action breaks down solid waste material. Your septic system should be properly maintained to assure years of trouble free service, failing to maintain your system might cause your system to fail. *Failing septic systems can: · Endanger your family's health. · Pollute the environment. · Reduce your property value. · Be expensive to repair. *Warning signs of potential system problems: · Wet spots in the yard, smell of septic · Slow draining toilets or drains. · Gurgling sounds in your drains. *Avoiding trouble: · Keep good records concerning your septic system. · Repair leaking plumbing fixtures, no matter how small the leak. · Conserve water by avoiding long showers. Use washing machines, dishwashers and other water devices sparingly. · Do not use excess amounts of commercial septic additives. · Divert gutter drains and surface waters away from your septic system. · Do not allow anyone to park or drive over your system. · Do not dig into your lateral field or build anything over the top of it. · Do not dump non-biodegradable items such as grease, disposable diapers, plastics, and cigarette butts down your toilet or drains. The accumulated solids in the bottom of the septic tank should be pumped out every three to five years to prolong the life of your system. Septic systems must be maintained regularly to stay working. *Neglect or abuse of your septic system can cause it to fail Failing septic systems can: -cause a serious health threat to your family and neighbors -degrade the environment, especially lakes, streams and groundwater, -reduce the value of your property, -be very expensive to repair, and, put thousands of water supply users at risk if you live in a public water supply watershed and fail to maintain your system. *Be alert to these warning signs of a failing system -sewage surfacing over the drain field (especially after storms) -sewage back-ups in the house, -lush, green growth over the drain field, -slow draining toilets or drains, -sewage odors.

Onsite Program