IMPORTANT: Septic System Summary

During workshops we talk about septic system health, (which is not unlike human health in that it is mostly a matter of prevention and maintenance through proper use). People with septic systems (most of Maine) have to be diligent about what they flush or put down the drain. (Actually, people on public systems should be too...) We've had our system pumped and inspected recently. Here are a few great points raised by the people who did it, when I pressed them for the top stressors that are put on the systems:
1. Never flush cigarette butts (the filters can and do plug up critical pathways to the leachfield)
2. or those 'wipe and flush' medicated cloths (which say on the box they are flushable, but aren't) or diapers or anything other than 'pee, poop & toilet paper
3. Avoid anti-bacterial products, chlorine bleach, and even biological products made for 'breaking down solids'. Talk to a septic system professional. If you have your system pumped regularly (on a schedule appropriate for its size and usage) and maintained properly, it is built to do the job without intervention. Bacteria is in the world for a reason. It does the 'biological breakdown' without chemical additions.
4. Never flush or put prescription or over the counter drugs down the drain. Out of sight out of mind doesn't mean out of existence. Whatever we 'rid' ourselves of simply goes elsewhere.
5. Never pour grease, oil, butter or viscous liquids into a drain or toilet. ESPECIALLY not fats that are solid at room temperature. They had horror stories of inches thick solid fat that floated to the top and solidified in the tank, obviously causing it's ruin.
6. And this one is poignant too. Never put dry powder laundry detergent into the washing machine. Especially when cleaning in cold water. What happens is- it doesn't liquify, but remains solid crystals that can accumulate in the system, causing a crust, that 'snowballs.' One fellow said he had to chisel it off in one system, it was hard as cement (which is what he first thought it was!)
Instead, blend it with hot water until completely dissolved. And avoid petro-chemical cleaners,(which contain petroleum and chemicals (petroleum is a thick, viscous liquid and chemicals are harmful to the environment).