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How to Clean a Septic Tank
By smiley28, eHow Member
Capacity for septic tank cleaners may not be sufficient when there is a high load of wasted materials entering direct to the sewage system. Bacteria, yeast, sludge and resistant sludge buildup are the true signs of fungacidal activities leeching inside a house drain. Layers of dirt debris collect within the drains cores, and then elements of resin, dust, and coli particles perimeter together to form contaminate layers. Its not within this context that healthy drains exhibit such decay and aging, as the prime layers don't let additional layers buildup to an extent of a severe septic block!
Difficulty: Easy Instructions
Step 1 There are between one and eight scum layers between drains, and none of them can be removed easily. The organic compounds won't explicitly materialize down the drain with conventional methods, as the sub-layers exhibit the patterns of molecular bonding. Don't be put down to dismay, as the pumpling method is the most effective and convenient way to dismantle the effects of cohesive layer bondings. Pump out materials are flushed down the septic tank into different associative units and further processed down into the earth.
Step 2 Soil composites are devestating and pressure building components of drainage pumps and can lead to leaks, pipe blasts and severe flooding. It is advised that hydrogen peroxide not be put to use as the soil structures, as are the sludge and scums degrade down, but force cohesion and sludge buildup to take place. Organic solvents will also lead to further cohesive bonding.
Step 3 Don't forcefully use any starter bacteria, starter bacteria and spetic tank enzymes as these will also lead to molecular cohesion. The best option to take into consideration is the aeration or pumping out unit. This will leave the tank to proper working condition, and prevent excessive sludge from building up, leading to blocks.
http://www.ehow.com/how_6132173_clean-septic-tank.html
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
K-State Scientist: Certain Items, Chemicals Can Damage Septic Systems
K-State Scientist: Certain Items, Chemicals Can Damage Septic Systems
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Ah, the allure of country life. Wide-open spaces and the appeal of less traffic have inspired many a family to move beyond the city limits. And if you live in the country, chances are you have an onsite wastewater treatment system.
“When living in the country, septic systems or other onsite wastewater treatment systems are the norm,” said Kansas State University scientist DeAnn Presley. “In 2007, the EPA reported that an estimated 20 percent of total U.S. housing units were served by septic systems. Of these, 50 percent were in rural areas, 47 percent were in suburbs, and 3 percent were found in central cities.”
Most of these systems consist of a septic tank and some type of soil treatment area, said Presley, who is a soil management specialist with K-State Research and Extension. The soil treatment area typically contains gravity laterals or a drip field.
“Whatever soil treatment is used, consideration should be given to the fact that anything placed down the drain potentially could be detrimental to the function or components of the septic system or to groundwater quality,” she said.
For a homeowner to understand why certain items are a problem, it’s helpful to explain how the systems work. Three layers develop in the tank. The bottom layer is the solids (sludge), which settle out in the tank. The middle is partially clarified water, or effluent. The upper layer consists of floating scum, including fats, oils and greases (FOG). Only the effluent from the middle layer should enter the soil absorption field because solids and scum eventually plug the oil pores and lead to slower rates of absorption and potential system failure.
There are two categories of items that should not be put into a septic system: “Cloggers” and “Killers,” Presley said.
* Cloggers include diapers, cat litter, cigarette butts, baby wipes, coffee grounds, grease and feminine hygiene products, all of which can contribute to a buildup in either the sludge or FOG layer. Therefore, they should never be flushed or put down a drain. It is not a good idea to put large quantities of food waste at one time into an onsite wastewater treatment system as this can cause the sludge and/or FOG layer to build up more quickly, and adds more biochemical oxygen demand on the beneficial microbes in the onsite wastewater treatment system.
* Killers include household chemicals, gasoline, oil, paint, pesticides, antifreeze and unused prescription medications. Remember that onsite wastewater treatment systems treat wastewater—they do not dispose of water. If strong chemicals are added to the system, they might temporarily kill off beneficial microorganisms, resulting in little or no treatment of the wastewater. Also, many of these chemicals are toxic to other biological organisms, and could damage the quality of the area’s groundwater. Whenever possible, use local household hazardous waste programs to dispose of unused chemicals, so that they might be properly recycled by professionals. Return unused prescription medications to pharmacies, or dispose of them in the trash. If you’re worried about children, animals or thieves getting medications out of the trash, you could put them inside another container and tape it tightly, or combine it with coffee grounds.
K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.
Story by: Mary Lou Peter
mlpeter@ksu.edu
K-State Research & Extension News
DeAnn Presley – 785-532-1218 or deann@ksu.edu.
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Ah, the allure of country life. Wide-open spaces and the appeal of less traffic have inspired many a family to move beyond the city limits. And if you live in the country, chances are you have an onsite wastewater treatment system.
“When living in the country, septic systems or other onsite wastewater treatment systems are the norm,” said Kansas State University scientist DeAnn Presley. “In 2007, the EPA reported that an estimated 20 percent of total U.S. housing units were served by septic systems. Of these, 50 percent were in rural areas, 47 percent were in suburbs, and 3 percent were found in central cities.”
Most of these systems consist of a septic tank and some type of soil treatment area, said Presley, who is a soil management specialist with K-State Research and Extension. The soil treatment area typically contains gravity laterals or a drip field.
“Whatever soil treatment is used, consideration should be given to the fact that anything placed down the drain potentially could be detrimental to the function or components of the septic system or to groundwater quality,” she said.
For a homeowner to understand why certain items are a problem, it’s helpful to explain how the systems work. Three layers develop in the tank. The bottom layer is the solids (sludge), which settle out in the tank. The middle is partially clarified water, or effluent. The upper layer consists of floating scum, including fats, oils and greases (FOG). Only the effluent from the middle layer should enter the soil absorption field because solids and scum eventually plug the oil pores and lead to slower rates of absorption and potential system failure.
There are two categories of items that should not be put into a septic system: “Cloggers” and “Killers,” Presley said.
* Cloggers include diapers, cat litter, cigarette butts, baby wipes, coffee grounds, grease and feminine hygiene products, all of which can contribute to a buildup in either the sludge or FOG layer. Therefore, they should never be flushed or put down a drain. It is not a good idea to put large quantities of food waste at one time into an onsite wastewater treatment system as this can cause the sludge and/or FOG layer to build up more quickly, and adds more biochemical oxygen demand on the beneficial microbes in the onsite wastewater treatment system.
* Killers include household chemicals, gasoline, oil, paint, pesticides, antifreeze and unused prescription medications. Remember that onsite wastewater treatment systems treat wastewater—they do not dispose of water. If strong chemicals are added to the system, they might temporarily kill off beneficial microorganisms, resulting in little or no treatment of the wastewater. Also, many of these chemicals are toxic to other biological organisms, and could damage the quality of the area’s groundwater. Whenever possible, use local household hazardous waste programs to dispose of unused chemicals, so that they might be properly recycled by professionals. Return unused prescription medications to pharmacies, or dispose of them in the trash. If you’re worried about children, animals or thieves getting medications out of the trash, you could put them inside another container and tape it tightly, or combine it with coffee grounds.
K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.
Story by: Mary Lou Peter
mlpeter@ksu.edu
K-State Research & Extension News
DeAnn Presley – 785-532-1218 or deann@ksu.edu.
Monday, March 15, 2010
County sets public meetings on proposed septic ordinance,Rapid City, South Dakota
Pennington County residents will have a chance to comment on a proposed new ordinance regulating septic systems at a series of public meetings in March and April.
The following meetings are scheduled to run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.:
•March 16, New Underwood City Hall.
•March 18, Wall Community Center.
•March 23, Johnson Siding Community Center.
•March 25, Hill City, City Hall.
•April 6, Rockerville Community Center.
•April 8, commissioners' meeting room at Pennington County Courthouse, Rapid City.
The proposed septic ordinance would set up stricter regulations on new septic systems, but it also would require inspections and permits for existing systems.
The proposed rules for existing systems have drawn strenuous objections from some rural residents, who argue that the county has not proven that septic systems are a threat to clean water.
County officials have cited state and federal studies that found elevated levels of contaminants in well water and surface water, including Spring Creek.
County Planning Department officials said the meetings would include a presentation by the county and a period for public comment and questions.
For more information, call the county Planning Department at 394-2186.
The following meetings are scheduled to run from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.:
•March 16, New Underwood City Hall.
•March 18, Wall Community Center.
•March 23, Johnson Siding Community Center.
•March 25, Hill City, City Hall.
•April 6, Rockerville Community Center.
•April 8, commissioners' meeting room at Pennington County Courthouse, Rapid City.
The proposed septic ordinance would set up stricter regulations on new septic systems, but it also would require inspections and permits for existing systems.
The proposed rules for existing systems have drawn strenuous objections from some rural residents, who argue that the county has not proven that septic systems are a threat to clean water.
County officials have cited state and federal studies that found elevated levels of contaminants in well water and surface water, including Spring Creek.
County Planning Department officials said the meetings would include a presentation by the county and a period for public comment and questions.
For more information, call the county Planning Department at 394-2186.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
What can make my system fail?
What can make my system fail?
A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems Failure symptoms
The most obvious septic system failures are easy to spot. Check for pooling
water or muddy soil around your septic system or in your basement. Notice
whether your toilet or sink backs up when you flush or do laundry. You
might also notice strips of bright green grass over the drainfield. Septic
systems also fail when partially treated wastewater comes into contact with
groundwater. This type of failure is not
easy to detect, but it can result in the pollution
of wells, nearby streams, or other
bodies of water. Check with a septic
system professional and the local health
department if you suspect such a failure.
Failure causes
Non Organic fibers Plug the soil of many leach fields
Non-biodegradable material fibers (polyester, nylon, and other synthetics) are a leading cause of plugged septic system drain fields, sewer pipes, and drains. Typical lint screens used with consumer washing machines and discharge hoses trap less than 5% of these particals. Did you know that even a new septic system can fail in as little as three years? This is primarily due to non-biodegradable material fibers plugging the soil in septic system drain fields
Household toxics
Does someone in your house use the utility sink to clean out paint rollers
or flush toxic cleaners? Oil-based paints, solvents, and large volumes of
toxic cleaners should not enter your septic system. Even latex paint cleanup
waste should be minimized. Squeeze all excess paint and stain from
brushes and rollers on several layers of newspaper before rinsing. Leftover
paints and wood stains should be taken to your local household hazardous
waste collection center. Remember that your septic system contains a living
collection of organisms that digest and treat waste.
Household cleaners
For the most part, your septic system’s bacteria should recover quickly
after small amounts of household cleaning products have entered
the system. Of course, some cleaning products are less toxic to
your system than others. Labels can help key you into the potential
toxicity of various products. The word “Danger” or “Poison” on a
label indicates that the product is highly hazardous. “Warning” tells
you the product is moderately hazardous. “Caution” means the
product is slightly hazardous. (“Nontoxic” and “Septic Safe”
A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems Failure symptoms
The most obvious septic system failures are easy to spot. Check for pooling
water or muddy soil around your septic system or in your basement. Notice
whether your toilet or sink backs up when you flush or do laundry. You
might also notice strips of bright green grass over the drainfield. Septic
systems also fail when partially treated wastewater comes into contact with
groundwater. This type of failure is not
easy to detect, but it can result in the pollution
of wells, nearby streams, or other
bodies of water. Check with a septic
system professional and the local health
department if you suspect such a failure.
Failure causes
Non Organic fibers Plug the soil of many leach fields
Non-biodegradable material fibers (polyester, nylon, and other synthetics) are a leading cause of plugged septic system drain fields, sewer pipes, and drains. Typical lint screens used with consumer washing machines and discharge hoses trap less than 5% of these particals. Did you know that even a new septic system can fail in as little as three years? This is primarily due to non-biodegradable material fibers plugging the soil in septic system drain fields
Household toxics
Does someone in your house use the utility sink to clean out paint rollers
or flush toxic cleaners? Oil-based paints, solvents, and large volumes of
toxic cleaners should not enter your septic system. Even latex paint cleanup
waste should be minimized. Squeeze all excess paint and stain from
brushes and rollers on several layers of newspaper before rinsing. Leftover
paints and wood stains should be taken to your local household hazardous
waste collection center. Remember that your septic system contains a living
collection of organisms that digest and treat waste.
Household cleaners
For the most part, your septic system’s bacteria should recover quickly
after small amounts of household cleaning products have entered
the system. Of course, some cleaning products are less toxic to
your system than others. Labels can help key you into the potential
toxicity of various products. The word “Danger” or “Poison” on a
label indicates that the product is highly hazardous. “Warning” tells
you the product is moderately hazardous. “Caution” means the
product is slightly hazardous. (“Nontoxic” and “Septic Safe”
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