57 Ways - 39. Prevent Contamination From Septic Systems

Publications Plus online catalog

57 Ways To Protect Your Home Environment (and Yourself)

Caring for the Home Landscape

1. Aim for a healthy lawn rather than a perfect lawn
2. Cut the grass without gas
3. Prevent insect, disease, and weed problems in the garden
4. Identify fruits and vegetables that need fewer pesticides
5. Select native trees and shrubs that will thrive in your yard
6. Keep your tress healthy and safe
7. Plant “wild” in your backyard
8. Attract birds and butterflies to your backyard

Using Alternatives to Traditional Pesticides & Fertilizers - Where Practical

9. Scout for pests on the landscape
10. Consider microbial insecticides
11. Consider botanical insecticides & insecticidal soaps
12. Conserve beneficial insects
13. Monitor & control insects with traps
14. Use pest barriers in your garden
15. Solarize soil
16. Consider the potential of natural fertilizers

Using Chemicals on the Landscape - If Necessary

17. Know what to ask a lawn-care company and arborist
18. Understand pesticide toxicity
19. Read the pesticide label
20. Apply pesticides accurately and safely
21. Apply fertilizers accurately and safely

Storing & Disposing of Hazardous Chemicals

22. Store hazardous chemicals safely
23. Dispose of pesticides safely
24. Dispose of auto products safely
25. Dispose of paints and solvents safely
26. Dispose of adhesives, areosols, household cleaners & other hazardous waste safely

Managing Yard, Food & Other Household Waste

27. Reduce household waste
28. Recycle paper, glass, & aluminum
29. Reuse and respond
30. Recycle grass clippings
31. Create a compost pile
32. Use yard waste as mulch
33. Dispose of tree residues

Protecting Your Drinking Water

34. Know when & how to test your water
35. Test your water for coliform bacteria & nitrate 36. Test your water for pesticides - if necessary
37. Know the signs of contaminants in drinking water
38. Select effective water-treatment methods
39. Prevent contamination from septic systems
40. Know the pros & cons of bottled water

Protecting the Indoor Environment

41. Prevent contamination by lead
42. Test your home for radon
43. Reduce radon levels
44. Control dust, dust mites & other allergens
45. Reduce pollution from combustion equipment
46. Prevent contamination by formaldehyde and asbestos
47. Recognize tht it's not always necessary to control indoor insects
48. Select the right household pesticide
49. Control household pests with less toxic alternatives
50. Select household cleaners wisely

Conserving Energy & Water

51. Design new homes for energy effciency
52. Save energy in heating & cooling
53. Insulate & seal your home
54. Choose energy-efficient appliances
55. Save money & energy with compact fluorescent light bulbs
56. Use plants & other landscape tools to conserve energy
57. Conserve water in & around the home

39. Prevent Contamination From Septic Systems
	If you don’t maintain your septic system on a regular basis, the system could malfunction, possibly causing problems: contamination of groundwater and surface water; spread of sewage-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and more commonly, gastroenteritis; or costly damage to your home and septic system. The key factors in keeping a septic system operating properly are proper soil conditions, proper sizing of the system, and homeowner maintenance. Therefore, it’s important to know the basic components of the system and how to keep them functioning properly.
	The septic tank is usually a concrete container that receives wastewater from your bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. It allows heavy particles, or sludge, to settle and light materials, or scum, to float. In the tank, bacteria break down some waste products, allowing liquids to move into the absorption system.
	The absorption system, or drainfield, consists of a distribution box, perforated distribution lines, and a soil area that has the capacity to accept wastewater. Wastewater from the septic tank moves through the drainfield, where harmful microorganisms, organic materials, and nutrients are removed.
	To help your septic system operate correctly, know the location of all of the parts of your system, and don’t run heavy vehicles over them.
	In this photo, homeowners use a tile probe to locate their septic tank.
	Avoid planting trees or shrubs near drain tiles. Their roots can clog drain lines. Also, divert surface runoff around the system, if possible. And be careful of what you dispose of in the toilet or in your drains. Household chemicals can destroy the bacteria that break down organic material in your septic tank; garbage disposals can add unnecessary solids and grease to your system; and non-biodegradable material can clog the absorption field.
	When a drainfield becomes clogged, it can no longer handle septic tank effluent.
	Conserve water whenever possible. To avoid overloading your system on any particular day, try to distribute throughout the week your laundry and other chores that require heavy water use. Install a lint trap on the washing machine because lint can clog the septic system.
	Finally, monitor your septic tank annually, and have a reputable contractor pump it out every two to three years.
	In some cases, the tank may need to be pumped out even more frequently.