Septic Tanks

[harriet99]

Does anyone know about using a septic tank. My house is not connected to mains drainage and I have been told I can only use bio-degradeable products and have the tank pumped out a couple of times a year. What products can I use? does this include things like bubble bath and shower gel ? and is pumping out going to be a major hassle?

[Clanad]

Having lived on a ranch in the western U.S. with a septic tank and leach field system most of my life I can offer the following: Firstly, it probably helps to use bio-degradable soaps, etc., but we've never had a problem in that way. Secondly, we've found and the "experts" concur that one can actually pump their tank too often. The recommendation is no more than once in two years. To do so pumps out the bacteria that are responsible for breaking down the solid wastes. We were advised, when in-sink waste disposals were being installed, that we should avoid using one since the vegetable matter injected into the septic tank would be hard on it... that is, the waste wouldn't break down very efficiently. We have neighbors who have had such disposal for a number of years with no ill effects. The newer models actually have an injection system that releases a small amount of liquid enzymes into the disposal each time it's used to help in the degradation of the waste. I do flush about 2 pints of crystalized enzymes into the tank once a year, which is recommended. At any rate, we've not had any difficulty with ours and know of many more with a long, trouble free life... Good luck!

[Thunderbird+]

Hi Harriet, Hopefully I can reassure you, Like Clanad I've lived at the back of beyond and on a septic tank system for many years and found no major problems.
Check-out the labels on products that are gonna end up going down the plug hole, the good ones will say 'safe to use in septic tanks' and after a while i'm sure you will soon learn which ones to buy. You may with to stick to a sertain brand thats do a whole range of stuff that Eco friendly, there are several out there that I use and I find now it becomes second nature to pick those ones up.
The guy who comes along with the tanker should know what he's doing and should have no problems as long as there is good access to the tank.
Good luck Tbird+

[raysparx1]

Hello harriet,

We lived in a cottage with a septic tank for 22 years,never had a problem,only had it emptied 4 times in all that time as far as we were concerned it was better than being on the mains because the water rates were so much cheaper, a friend had problems once with smells coming from the one they had,but alocal farmer threw in a sheeps intestines to fetch the bacteria level up,and the smell went,hope this reassures you a little,Ray

[harriet99]

Thanks guys, your answers have put my mind at rest a bit. Not sure about the sheep's intestines though ?!!

[raysparx1]

harriet,

hopefully you will never have a problem,as I said we never in over 20 years, don't think I could pick the sheeps bits up either, Lol, Ray

[lafrancaise]

Avoid bleach as this kills off the good bacteria needed to break down the waste. There are different enzyme products on the market from those you flush down the loo every week to those you use twice a year, I find once every 6 months fine. Septic tanks don't like to be un-used so make sure if you're away for a length of time that someone comes and flushes the loo and/or puts taps on in the kitchen etc. from time to time.