Proper maintenance of septic system protects environment
Having tank inspected, pumped regularly is important in protecting system
By GEORGE DICKER County Extension Agent

An ample supply of clean, safe water is something that we all take for granted. While events such as the current drought can, will, and do have devastating implications for agriculture, livestock, and wildlife, they also serve as a wake-up call to all of us that we should do everything possible to protect our water. This begs the question: what are we doing as individuals to protect our community's water?

I recently learned that DHEC has listed 31 of its monitoring locations throughout Spartanburg County as being impaired with fecal coliform bacteria. While fecal coliform occurs in nature, these elevated levels are commonly used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an indicator of water quality. An area of special concern is the role that improperly maintained, or failed, on-site wastewater disposal systems (septic) play in these impaired waters.

There are three main reasons for properly maintaining your system. The first, and perhaps most compelling, is cost: poor maintenance can result in repairs or even replacement of a system. These repairs or replacements can cost thousands of dollars, but periodic inspection and pumping will only cost about $150 to $250.

The second reason is the health of your family, community and environment. If a system is not properly maintained, the untreated sewage may seep into wells, groundwater and surface water bodies. This can contaminate the water we all use for drinking and recreation.

The third reason is the health of the local economy. Contamination affects quality of life, recreational opportunities, and can lower property values and economic vitality.

It should be mentioned that having your septic system inspected and the tank pumped out regularly is the single most important action that you can take to protect your system. The frequency with which you have your tank pumped out is determined by the size of your tank relative to the number of persons in your household. A chart listing the suggested pump-out schedules is available from your extension office.

It is also advantageous to have your system professionally inspected on a yearly basis. In addition to this, there are of course several basic items of daily practice that homeowners should keep in mind throughout their daily routines.

We should conserve water whenever possible. This of course applies to everyone, whether you are on a septic system or tied into the municipal sewer system that is maintained by your tax dollars. This means only washing full loads of laundry and running the dishwasher only when completely full. Repair leaking faucets and toilets as soon as possible. It may seem like just a small amount of water lost through leaks, but it really adds up over time. Make sure that the area above your septic drainfield does not receive excess water from runoff from your roof, driveway, etc. Keep thorough records of maintenance or repairs of your system just like you would with your vehicle. This can be very useful, especially if you sell your home.

It is important to follow these guidelines:

Do not install any impervious surface above your drainfield such as a sidewalk or driveway.

Do not compact the soil above your drainfield by driving on it or over it. This could lead to very messy, expensive problems later. It is not recommended to plant anything besides grass on your drainfield due to the threat of root systems interfering with the drain lines.

Do not use a garbage disposal, or try to limit the use of one so as not to overload your system with solids. Garbage disposals add a lot of solid waste to your tank, as much as 50 percent, and will shorten the time between pump-outs. Consider composting your appropriate food wastes as an alternative to overloading your septic system with them. Please refrain from poisoning your system and the groundwater by pouring chemicals or other hazardous substances down the drain. Those substances will most likely kill the beneficial bacteria in your tank that handle the all important task of decomposing the solid waste at the bottom of your tank.

Information for this article was taken from South Carolina Home-A-Syst (WQL 21), a free publication from Clemson Cooperative Extension and the Department of Health and Environmental Control. If you would like further information on planning, installing or maintaining an on-site wastewater treatment system, or would like to request a free copy of Home- A-Syst, contact the Clemson Extension office in your county,

or your local office of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.