|
|
|
|
Serving Cape Cod for over 70 Years Septic System Maintenance Prepared by: Approximately 90% of Cape Cod’s population disposes of its wastewater through individual on-site sewage disposal systems. If properly operated and maintained, an on-site system can provide many years of trouble free service. If neglected, however, the system is likely to fail, creating public health hazards and expensive repairs to the homeowner. This page describes the principles of septic system operation and explains the maintenance procedures necessary to insure long life of the system. Household Sewage Household sewage is a combination of wastewater from several sources including sinks, toilets, showers, washing machines, and dishwashers. The approximate composition of household sewage is shown below. Organic matter comes mostly from toilets and garbage disposals, while sinks, showers and washing machines contribute large amounts of wastewater containing only mall amounts of soap and dirt. These amounts average 75 gallons per person per day.
Cesspools Cesspools are not allowed in new construction. This description is included because some older cesspools are still in use on Cape Cod today. A cesspool is a large pit with an earth bottom and sidewalls constructed of concrete blocks. Sewage flows directly into the cesspool. The heavier solids settle to the bottom, the lighter solids and grease float, and the liquid seeps through the openings of the sidewall. A cesspool has a limited lifespan. The soil pores surrounding the cesspool gradually become clogged with organic solids and the system overflows. When a cesspool does fail, it is often equipped with an overflow pipe to a different leaching facility. The original cesspool should then be treated a s a septic tank and be pumped periodically (every 2 to 3 years) to prevent solids from overflowing to the leaching facility. It is preferable, and in some cases required to replace failed cesspools with proper septic tank systems. The Septic System With the July 1, 1977 enactment and the March 31, 1995 update of Title 5, rigid specifications requiring two part septic tank systems were issued. In a septic system, the separation of sludge and scum takes place in the septic tank and the seepage of the wastewater into the soil takes place in a separate leaching facility. The Septic Tank Household sewage flows directly into the septic tank, a rectangular watertight structure (shown below). Inlet and outlet “tees” slow the incoming wastewater and keep solids from escaping. Larger solids settle to the bottom and the lighter particles rise to the surface, forming respective layers of sludge and scum. Bacteria, present in the tank, decompose the suspended organic solids found in the wastewater as well as the sludge and scum layers. The sludge and scum gradually accumulate, however, and must be pumped out periodically (every 2 to 4 years) to insure that solids will not overflow to the leaching facility. Biological activity in the tank is not upset by pumping. Incoming sewage contains all the necessary bacteria.
Leaching Facility The liquid waste flows from the septic tank to the leaching system, where it is discharged into the soil. He most common leaching systems in use on Cape Cod today is the precast concrete leaching pit or the leaching trench or field, consisting of a series of perforated pipes, or diffusers, set in stone filled trenches or fields surrounded by sand. (see below)
The need for maintenance The leaching facility is not designed to receive solids. If solids overflow from the septic tank to the leaching facility, it gradually becomes clogged and will fail (similar to a cesspool). Once this has occurred, the facility can only be renovated by its abandonment for at least six months or its complete replacement. The design and replacement of a leaching facility can be very costly. The proper maintenance of a septic system, as described here, can therefore, save the homeowner considerable problems and expense. Septic System Maintenance Pump your septic tank every two to four years
Investigate signs of failure immediately
Minimize water use in the home
Do not dispose of the following wastes
Do Not Use Septic Cleaners There are no known chemicals, yeasts, bacteria, enzymes, or other substances capable of eliminating or reducing the sludge and scum so that periodic cleaning is unnecessary. Many of these cleaners contain highly concentrated organic solvents that are rated toxic and suspected to be cancer causing by the EPA and the National Cancer Institute. They are not biodegrada
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Plumbing & Heating | Septic Construction | Septic Maintenance Contractor License #4229 Privact Statement:
|
