Advice on Septic System Maintenance

The Scoop on Septic Systems:

In order to best protect our Island please make sure you follow proper septic system maintenance. When a septic system is too full or poorly maintained it can leech harmful contaminants into surface water.

A few warning signs of a failing system:
- Most systems are designed to last 20-30 years
- Sewage back-ups in drains or toilets, especially if black liquid or with odor
- Slower than usual flushing of toilets
- Liquid seeping or "spongy" feel on ground around septic system (with or without odor)
- A strong disagreeable odor around your house, especially if a lot of water (from many showers, laundry, etc.) has just been put into the system
For further information on household septic systems go to http://web1.msue.msu.edu/imp/mod02/01500606.html or http://www.inspect-ny.com/septic/lockwood.htm

How often should my septic system be pumped out?
- There is not one answer. It depends on size of your tank, how many people are using it and how many months each year your system is used. Please call you local contractor to help you answer this important question or follow this link to see some recommended guidelines for appropriate pump-out intervals. www.inspect-ny.com/septic/tankpump.htm