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Did you know: Wipes Clog Pipes?

Whether or not the package says “flushable”, wipes should never be flushed down your toilet!

Wipes can clog household plumbing, street pipes, and the critical equipment at the treatment plant.

Products that might seem safe to flush down the toilet, such as personal care wipes, dental floss, paper towels, even tissues, don't dissolve quickly – or at all – in water.

It is advised to dispose personal care products, cleaning supplies, and other household waste properly, in a household trash can, in the recycling bin, or at your local household hazardous waste disposal site.

**Remember: Wipes Clog Pipes - DO NOT flush wipes down the toilet!

What is a Septic System?
​Septic systems are individual wastewater treatment systems (conventional septic systems, innovative/alternative (I/A) systems, or cesspools) that use the soil to treat small wastewater flows, usually from individual homes. They are typically used in rural or large lot settings where centralized wastewater treatment or 'town sewer' is impractical.

There are many types of septic systems in use today. While all systems are individually designed for each site, most systems are based on the same principles. A conventional septic system consists of a septic tank, a distribution box and a drainfield, all connected by pipes, called conveyance lines.

Your septic system treats your household wastewater by temporarily holding it in the septic tank where heavy solids and lighter scum are allowed to separate from the wastewater. This separation process is known as primary treatment. The solids stored in the tank are decomposed by bacteria and later removed, along with the lighter scum, by a professional septic tank pumper.

After partially treated wastewater leaves the tank, it flows into a distribution box, which separates this flow evenly into a network of drainfield trenches. Drainage holes at the bottom of each line allow the wastewater to drain into gravel trenches for temporary storage. This effluent then slowly seeps into the subsurface soil where it is further treated and purified (secondary treatment). A properly functioning septic system does not polluteType your paragraph here.

How often should I pump out my septic system?
Regular maintenance is the most important action you can take to ensure your septic system works properly and remains healthy. Your system should be pumped annually for optimal performance and longevity. Regular annual pumping helps prevent solids from escaping into the drainfield and clogging soil pores. 

What can happen when regular system pumping is neglected?

An amazing number of system owners believe that if they haven't had problems with their systems, they don't need to pump out their tanks. Unfortunately this is a serious and costly misconception. As your system is used, solid materials settle to the bottom of the tank, forming a sludge layer. Grease and lightweight materials float to the surface of the septic tank as scum.

Normally, properly designed tanks have enough space for up to 3 to 5 years' safe accumulation of sludge. When the sludge level increases beyond this point, sewage has less time to settle properly before leaving the tank. As the sludge level increases, more solid wastes escape into the soil absorption system (SAS). If the SAS becomes clogged to an extent that it cannot absorb liquid at the rate at which it enters the tank, the plumbing will "back up" or unsanitary wastewater will bubble to the surface.

What to look for when hiring a Pumping Service?
When hiring a pumper, be sure the local Board of Health has licensed them, and make sure you get a paid receipt from the pumper that details the transaction: number of gallons pumped, the tank, the date, the charges, and any other pertinent results. Retain this receipt for your records. The pumper sends a copy of this report to the local Board of Health.

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