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Ecological damage in the
watershed and costs to a homeowner can be reduced easily, Behind me is a list
of suggestions.
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-First, Food Disposals load
a tank with solids, making it necessary to pump the tank more frequently.
Also, more solids will quickly saturate a leach field more quickly. Composting is a good way to extend
the life of a septic tank.
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-Conserving water reduces
the quantity that the septic tank must process. Spreading out use, like doing laundry throughout the week
instead of all on Sunday, can keep the leach field from becoming over saturated. -
Pumping regularly will remove the solids before they clog the system and make
a mess of the yard
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Replacing the system when
expanding and winterizing will ensure that the tank and leach field can
handle the load.
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Do not dump bleach or
antibacterial substances down the drain, because this might kill the colonies
of bacteria that break down the solid waste in the septic tank.
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Do not drive on leach field,
because this will compact the soil, making it les absorbent. Also, it may break the leach field
pipes.
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Plant native plants with
high nutrient demands, and root systems that won�t rupture the leach
field. The DEP has a list of the
best leach field plants
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Use low phosphate detergents
and soaps to reduce the load of phosphorus entering the soil.
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Also, when planning new
developments, remember that some areas have slopes and soils that are more
suitable to septic systems.
Using tools like the GIS septic suitability model will ensure that
septic systems are not placed in inappropriate areas.
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Thanks very much, Next up is
Sarah Goodwin, speaking about Other watershed remediation techniques.
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