I just had my septic tank emptied at the cabin.
We started using the new septic tank system at the cabin in late 2011. It's been my policy in homes I have lived with a septic system to have the septic tank emptied every presidential election year - So every 4 years. I picked the presidential election because I equate both with emptying of crap. Sorry I digress.
The guy who emptied the tank today complemented me on my septic tank. He said, there was no visible signs of grease, overuse of soaps & detergents and the ratio of water to solids was right on. He also told me that 4 years between pumps is good but in essence I could have gone 6-7 years easily.
So what are we doing right? Here is what we do that may help other septic tank folks.
1) 95% of grease from cooking is collected and saved or thrown away when the garbage goes to the dump. The 5% is just what we
can't salvage when we do the dishes.
2) We do not have a washing machine at present however when we install one, the drain-off from the washing machine will go to a
separate tank drainage field which will be used ONLY for gray water.*
3) We typically only take three showers a week and we take showers not baths. Our showers are in the five minute range and we
have installed a water restricter. This is not because we like to run around dirty it is because our water holding tank is only 55
gallons.
4) We only use Eco/Septic friendly toilet bowl and shower cleaners. NOTHING with chlorine or harsh chemicals in it.
5) We only use single layer TP and put nothing but what we eat and TP in it. No Kleenex, paper towels, etc.
6) We do not flush after every deposit. The rule up at the cabin is: "If it is yellow it is mellow and If it is brown flush it down." Many city
folks have a problem with this concept. Oh well.
7) The leaching field is in a sand mound. We run NOTHING heavy over the sand mound like trucks, cars, tractors, etc.
Our dishwasher is MrsMac, me or some other human. There is no plan to add an automatic dishwasher. *
9) We do not have a garbage disposal nor do we plan on installing one. * We separate our garbage into three containers: A) Paper
which gets burned every other day, B) Vegetable matter that goes to the compost pile, and C) Trash that can not be burned or
decomposes. On the average we have one large white kitchen trash bag a week. That goes to the dump.
* I have been told by professional honey dippers that the three worse things for a septic system are: Washing machines, dish washers,
and garbage disposals. Ala..large qty of water & harsh soaps, grease & harsh soaps and food & grease that should not go into a
septic system, respectively.
Some other things to know are:
I) Know where your tank access hatches are. If they are buried figure that out before you have an emergency. Our access hatches are
blue plastic hatches that are flush with the ground.
II) Have available a 12 volt bilge pump that can pump water up to 10' high and in the 3-5 gallons a minute range. Two pieces of
appropriate diameter hose for your pump and lengths for pick up and deposit. The bilge pump can be used to pump out the water
from your water pump tank if your electric has been out for awhile.
III) No properly functioning septic tank needs an additive of any form. In fact there are many professional honey dippers who say to
use such products will shorten the life of your leach field.
The fee for the inspection and emptying of our septic tank was $320-. Our tank is a 1,500 gallon one.
In closing, if you are running a septic system now and haven't had it emptied within the last 3-4 years get it emptied BEFORE the SHTF. Based on what we are all witnessing the SHTF maybe here sooner then later.
