Septic System Care

Protect Water Quality and Your Investment

Failed septic systems at shoreline properties are a major source of pollution in lakes and rivers. You can do your part to help protect the water quality in the Bonnechere River and Golden Lake by caring for your septic system.

Septic systems cost a lot of money, from a few thousand to many thousands of dollars, depending on the site. If cared for properly, a well-designed septic system can last twenty years or more. But if mistreated, it could fail in half that time.

Signs of a failed septic system

Regardless of its age, check for these warning signs that your septic system may be failing:

· The ground around the septic tank or over the leaching bed is soggy or spongy to walk on.

· Toilets, showers and sinks back up or take longer than usual to drain.

· Occasional sewage odours become noticeable in the house or around the yard, particularly after a rainfall.

· The grass over the leaching bed is unusually lush.

· Over time, the sludge builds up in the bottom of the septic tank. If the sludge is allowed to occupy more than one-third of the tank it will eventually flow into the leaching bed and rapidly clog the distribution pipes.

Graphic courtesy Ontario Rural Wastewater Centre, U of Guelph

A septic tank should be pumped out every three to five years. If in doubt, pump it out!

What not to put down the drain

Never: Paints, solvents, thinners, nail polish remover, diapers, tampons, condoms, paper towels, plastics, cigarette filters, coffee grounds, egg shells, food scraps, cat box litter; water from basement sump pumps should not go into the septic system.

Limit to the minimum possible: Cooking oils, grease and fats.

Avoid: Chlorine-based laundry and dishwasher soap, and toilet bowl cleaner. Instead, use so-called oxygen bleaches containing hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate or sodium perborate. Septic tank cleaners, starters or enhancers are of little value and are not recommended.

Limit your water use

· All the water you use in the house passes through the septic tank and leaching bed. The more water you use, the faster is the flow through the septic system. The septic tank itself only holds two or three days of sewage.

· Low volume, slow flow of water is better for the system because it allows more time for solids to settle to the bottom of the tank. If you use a lot of water you ‘rinse’ sludge right into the leaching bed. Sludge will clog the bed quickly.

Taking care of your leaching bed

· The area over the leaching bed should have a good cover of grass, good ventilation and adequate sunlight to promote evaporation. Don’t plant trees or shrubs near the bed.

· Do not drive vehicles over the bed because the weight will compact the soil and could crush the pipes. In winter the snow cover should not be disturbed because it insulates the bed and prevents freezing in the pipes.

· Do not water the grass over the leaching bed or allow runoff from eaves troughs to drain onto it.

More information about septic systems:

Your Septic System Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems Ontario New Home Warranty Program (pdf 363KB)