YOUR SEPTICSYSTEM

CARE ANDFEEDING OF...

Do you have septic system?

There are approximately one million systemsin Ontario. They treat wastewater on properties

that are not serviced by a municipalsewer system, if you live in a rural area or asmall community, or if you have a cottage or

other recreational property, chancesare you have a septic system.

Read on, and get to know your septic system.In just a few minutes, you’ll learn how to keep

it healthy and happy.

This is your Septic System Owner’s Manual.

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YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM – FRIEND OR FOE

A septic system is an excellent means of treatinghousehold wastewater. On proper soils, and wheredwellings are spaced well apart, septic systems canoperate reliably for years. Treating sewage on-site, theyeliminate the need for costly municipal sewers in ruralareas.

Septic systems can also fail. Manymalfunctions are investigated byOntario’s Ministry of MunicipalAffairs and Housing every year. Theyare often public health andenvironmental hazards and canalso be very costly to repair. Manyof these problems could easilyhave been prevented

Problems with septic systems oftenstem from Improper use. A surprisingpercentage of householders don’t realize that they areusing a septic system. Many people don’t realize theongoing maintenance is required. Still others connectadditional toilets, showers, hot tubs and other wateruses, without upgrading their septic system.

This manual can help. Offering operating advice,detailing the maintenance requirements, andsuggesting options for septic systems inneed or repairs, it’s a practical guide today-to-day “care and feeding” ofyour on-site treatment system.

HOW SHOULD A SEPTIC SYSTEM WORK?

Buried in your yard and built to last, your home septicsystem may never have crossed your mind. But out of sightand out of mind, it still performs a vital task.

It’s simple: a tank, a network of pipes andbillions of microscopic organisms. Yet it’sreceived every flush, every shower, and whateverelse you and anyone else who’s lived in yourhouse has ever poured down the drain.

Your septic system treats tonnes of organicwaste each season. The tank treats sewage byletting the heavy solid material settle andallowing time for lighter “scum” to float to thetop. This partly treated liquid then flows intoperforated pipes, called the leaning bed, whereit filters into the ground and is furthertreated. Helpful bacteria and other soilorganisms do the bulk of the work.

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A bit of care and preventive maintenance helpskeep your septic system healthy and happy.

A licencedcontractor

should removethe septic tank

cover and inspect thesystem every two years, pumping

out the solids when required.

Malfunctioning SepticSystems are a concernacross Ontario.

The Ministry ofMunicipal Affairs andHousing investigatesthousands of neglectedsystems each year.

Remediation can costup to $25,000 persystem.

Maintenance, and waterconservation canprevent problems.

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WHAT GOES WRONG?

Over time, a septic tank accumulates solid material, which mustbe pumped out. Allowed to accumulate, this sludge may reachthe outlet level and begin flowing into the leaching bed. There, itcan plug the pipes or the bed.

Over the years, many septic systems are subject to increasedusage. Some were built for small homes or cottages, and werenot enlarged as additions were made. The new volumes of waterstrain the septic system, and it eventually gives up.

Fortunately, regular septic maintenance and moderate water usecan prevent these problems. And a bit of forward thinking whensizing and installing the system can allow some extra capacity tomeet future needs. Bigger is better, and more capacitycan mean a longer service life.

What happens when a septic system malfunctions?

Plenty. A clogged septic system can be hazardous tothe environment and to your pocketbook. It can degradewater supplies and reduce your property value.

The required repairs can be messy, often involvingexcavation and replacement of the whole drainage field.Frequently, the local building Department will requirereplacement of the entire system and any damagedlandscaping.

What are the symptoms of an ailing septic system?

Warning signs range from subtle to insufferable. The grass overthe system may become unusually green and spongy to walk on.Toilets, showers and sinks might take longer to drain. Occasionalsewage odours may become noticeable, often after a rainfall.Sometimes, homeowners discover grey or black liquids surfacingin their yards or backing up through fixtures into the house.Whatever the warning sign, it pays to fix it fast. A call to thecontractor now, can save big bucks, later.

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A regular diet is all yourseptic sytem needs.

Don’t feed it garbage, greaseor nasty chemicals.

No Diapers

No paintsor solvents

No bleach orstrongcleaningagents

Garburatorsstrain asepticsystem.Save yourkitchen wastefor yourcomposteroutside.

OPERATING YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM

If in doubt – don’t pour it out!

Septic systems thrive on wastewater, but certain chemicalscan cause major indigestion. Flushing even small amounts ofpaints, solvents, thinners, nail polish removers and othercommon household compounds (or pouring them down thedrain) can poison the organisms that break down organicmaterial.

Laundry bleaches, toilet bowl cleaners and caustic drainopeners can also slow the treatment process, allowingsewage to pass through without proper treatment. Andoften, the chemicals themselves seep into the ground,sometimes contaminating wells or surface waters.

Septic systems cannot digest oils, grease and fat. Poureddown the sink or toilet, they congeal in pipes sometimesplugging them. Grease can also combine with detergents andflow into the drainage field where it may clog the soils. Fatscan form a blop in the top of the tank, and interfere with thebiological activities taking place. All oily waste should go outwith the garbage.

Using your septic system to dispose of garbage is anotherno-no. In sink garbage disposals (“Garburators”) areunwelcome strains on the system. Disposable diapers,tampons and their holders, condoms, wrappers and manyother kinds of refuse can plug and impair septic systems. Ifsomething doesn’t break down naturally, don’t flush it intoyour septic tank.

Preparations marketed as septic tank “cleaners”, “starters”or “enhancers” are of little value. Some have led to essentialbacteria in the tank perishing and others may flush septicsolids into the drainage field. At best, these products areentirely unnecessary.

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A well can lower thewater table. This candraw down effluentfrom the leaching bed.

YOUR DRINKING WATER DEPENDS ON AHEALTHY SEPTIC SYSTEM

A septic system does some heavy-duty digestion. Viruses,bacteria and organic material are just some of the nastythings that it has to work on. And if not treated, they cantravel a long way underground. If they flow into drinking watersupplies, these organisms and compounds can cause diseasesor other health or environmental problems.

Some components of sewage are very mobile once they enterthe soil. And across the province, nitrate contamination ofwells is already a concern forthousands of households.

To make matters worse, as a welldraws groundwater toward itself, italso creates a funnel-shapeddepression in the water table around it.This “cone of depression” mayencourage septic effluent to follow adownward or lateral path toward thewell. A household’s well water, even if it’sbeen good for years, can suddenlycontain dangerous contaminants.

The less your well pumps, the less ittends to draw septic effluent andother contaminants toward it. Andlooking down the road, properlyfunctioning septic systems helpprotect the quality of your community’sdrinking water. Careful water use alsoextends the life of your septic systemand helps it work better.

By conserving water, you lessen the odds of your watersupply becoming contaminated. Maintaining your septicsystem helps protect your well and your neighbour’s.

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Water conservations iseasier than you think.

The less you flush, pour or draininto your septic system,the better it performs.

HOW MUCH GOES DOWN THE DRAIN?

Septic systems are by nature, slow-moving creatures. Theywork slowly, because the micro-organisms that treatwastewater can only digest so much at a time. Septic tanksalso need some “retention time” for the solids to separatefrom the liquids.

This means that pouring less into your septic system allowsit more time to work on each litre of waste, and each litre willbe more completely treated. It also means that pushing toomuch, too quickly through your septic tank can causeuntreated solid material to flow into the drainage field,possibly clogging it.

Even if the pipes aren’t blocked, treatment won’t be adequatebecause solids have missed their chance to be broken downin the tank. Instead, they are discharged to the ground whilestill containing dangerous bacteria, viruses and pollutants inunacceptable concentrations.

Upto 200 litres of water are discharged to your system witheach load of laundry and ordinary toilets use up to 20 litresper flush. So, too many loads laundry in a day, or the extratoilets flushing from a party can load a septic tank withseveral times its usual daily flow. House guests, and theextra demands they place on your septic system are anotherconcern. Older systems, often designated with smaller tanksand drainage fields, are especially vulnerable.

Fortunately, it’s easy to use water throughout the house.Whether washing vegetables, cleaning dishes, brushing yourteeth or shaving, use the plug and water in the sink to avoidleaving the taps running.

Keep showers short and to the point. Run dishwashers andclotheswashers only when full, and use the cycles with thelowest number of rinses. Try to spread the clothes washingover several days. And when buying appliances, compare theirwater usage rates.

A tap leaking just one drop per second wastes about 10,000litres of water per year. A silently leaking toilet can wasteupto 20 litres that amount. Day and night, water is pumpedfrom your well, through your septic system – and all fornaught. Since most leaks are easy to find and fix, watersaving starts with stopping the drips.

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PROTECTING YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM

Driving cars or machinery over your septic system willcrush it. The soil surrounding the pipes may also becompacted, making it less adept at absorbing sewageflows. Snowmobiles compress the snow cover over thefield, reducing its natural insulating effect and increasingthe risk of pipes freezing.

Septic tanks work better at warmer temperatures.Insulating the top of the tank (eg with polystyreneinsulation) helps, and can avoid sewage freezing underextreme conditions.

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Planting trees and shrubs (especially willowsand poplars) near the field is risky, becausetheir roots travel significant distances to seekwater and can plug or damage the pipes. Andwatering of the grass over the field, whether by inground systems or by hand, should be eliminated orminimized. Watering interfere with the soil’s ability toabsorb liquids and break down wastes.

Discharged waste flows from home watertreatment units, furnace condensate dischargesand water softener backwash (which may containsalt concentrations) are strains that your septicsystem doesn’t need. These should go to leaching pits.Likewise, building sumps, as well as runoff from roofs,patios and driveways, should be directed to splashpads away from the tank and leaching bed.

The drainage field is a specialized system, doing avital job. Keep it dry, don’t plant near it and keepheavy things off the grass!

A licenced contractor can pump thesolids from your septic tank in under anhour. Or, he can dig up your yard andrepair dozensof meters of pipe-over a few days.

MAINTAINING YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM

‘SLUDGE HAPPENS’

Even on a proper diet, a septic system still needs regularcheck-ups. Though a septic tank is designed to store solidmaterials, these solids build up and limit the settling ofparticles entering it. And if septic solids are allowed to flowinto the drainage field, the field may become clogged.

Sludge decreases the retention time in your tank – though itappears to be working normally. It might take a year, or itmay take five or more, but “sludge happens”.

The smaller the tank, and the more people using it, thefaster the sludge accumulates – and though larger tankshave more capacity, these too will eventually fill. Once it’stoo late, you’ll know your drainage field is too congested todo the job. Your drains and toilets slow down, stop, or mayeven start to run backwards.

Having your septic tank inspected every two years is cheapinsurance.

It costs less, per year, than the sewer changes levied inmany urban areas. And gives you the confidence that yourtank has its whole design capacity ready to treat yourhousehold’s wastewater.

Summer, and early fall are the best times to pump out yourseptic system. This leaves time before winter, for the tank

to refill and for bacterial action to become re-established. Also the ground won’t be frozen, andthe spring water table, which can create

buoyancy problems for septic tanks, hasreceded. Particular cars should be taken when

pumping tanks made of lightweightmaterials such as polyethylene,

fibreglass and steel.

A septic system pump-outis less than a hundredththe price of an overhaul.

So the choice is yours. Paya little now….. or a lot later!

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WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE’S A PROBLEM

When your drains slow down, or toilets back up, its time forimmediate action.

You are requested by law to report any problem to your localBuilding Department, before proceeding with repairs. Once apermit has been issued by the Building Department, call alicensed contractor. Detail the full extent of the problem,giving specific details as to when you first noticed anysymptoms.

Repairs can range from clearing a few lines, to replacing entiredrain fields and land filling contaminated soil. Costs vary froma few hundred dollars, to thousands.

The extent and cost of required repairs depends on how faryou let the problem go.

Your Septic System And The Law

A privately serviced home means independence. More than justno sewer bills, it’s an opportunity to really “live off the land” -off your land – without relying on someone else to takecare of your waste.

A septic system is also a responsibility. Neglected orover-used, your septic system may affect your watersupply and the wells in your community.

Where a falling septic system becomes a matter of publichealth, remediation is required by law.

All residential septic systems in Ontario are regulated byThe Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, under OntarioBuilding Code Act. The Building Code requires that a permit be obtained, prior to the construction, installation,extension, enlargement or alteration of any sewer system, orany building connected to a sewer system. A Building Permitis obtainable from your local Building Department.

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ALTERNATE SEWAGE SYSTEMS

Holding Tanks

Some on-site systems are designed only to store wastewater,which is then pumped from the tank and trucked off-site fortreatment. Often used where septic systems cannot beaccommodated, these holding tank systems require an alarmto warn when nearly full, and an on-going contract with apumping service.

Aerobic Systems

Several mechanical alternatives to septic systems areavailable on the market. These are activesystems, using compressors or motors tointroduce air into the treatment ofwastewater. Most of these systems bubble airthrough wastewater, or use rotating discs toexpose the sewage to air. These systems arerequired to have an on-going maintenancecontract with the manufacturer or theiragent.

While aerobic systems can provide a higherlevel of treatment than standard septictanks, they also have many moving parts andelectrical connections, and require far morefrequent servicing than a conventional system.

New Technology

New designs in wastewater treatment arereaching the marketplace every year, as newtechnologies are further developed anddemonstrated. Systems employing some veryhigh tech, and some very “old tech” areproviding promising results.

The Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre is a non-profit organization that monitors and testsmany of these new products, and conductsindependent research in this area.

Call your local Building Department if you are considering oneof these systems, to ensure that they are approved for use inyour area.

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Pumping ChambersMany larger systems andsystems with raised fieldsuse a pump to carry effluentto the drainage field. Locatedin a separate chamber, thesepumps eventually requiremaintenance or replacement.

Rotating disc system

Rotor aeration system

THE BOTTOM LINE...

Proper care and feeding of your septic system couldn’t be easier. Fix all theleaks, be frugal with your water and do not flush chemicals, garbage andgrease.Have you septic system checked at least every five years and pumped whenrequired.Lastly, keep a maintenance schedule on your septic system. Record thephysical layout of the system, the dates it was inspected, the kind of workdone, and the name of the licensed contractor who performed the work.

Remember…. A well maintained septic system can run for decades. Anabuse or neglected one can fail tomorrow.

Further Information

Ontario Ministry of MunicipalAffairs and Housing,777 Bay Street, 2nd Floor,Toronto, M5G 2E5

Local Building Departments – Look under “Inspections” in the Governmentssection of your telephone directory.

Licensed Septic System Contractors and Manufacturers – look under‘Septic’ in the ‘Yellow Pages’ section of your telephone directory.

Or for Manufacturers in your area see:The Concrete Precasters Association of OntarioP.O. Box 278, Marmora Ontario, KOK 2MO, Tel. (613) 472-6039www.cpaontario.com

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