Clear Water Industries
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Waste Water Treatment and Maintenance in Massachusetts

Dos and Don'ts

Septic System Dos and Don'ts | Ipswich, MA

DO:

Do learn the location of your septic tank and drainfield. Keep a sketch of it handy with your maintenance records for service visits.

Do have your septic tank system inspected annually.

Do have your septic tank pumped out regularly by a licensed contractor.

Do keep your septic tank cover accessible for inspections and pumpings. Install risers to grade.

Do call a professional whenever you experience a problem with your system or if there any signs of a system failure.

Do keep a detailed record of repairs, pumpings, inspections, permits issued and other maintenance activities.

Do conserve water to avoid overloading the system. Be sure to repair any leaky faucets or toilets.

Do divert other sources of water, like roof drains, house footing drains and sump pumps, away from the septic system.

DO:

Do learn the location of your septic tank and drainfield. Keep a sketch of it handy with your maintenance records for service visits.

Do have your septic tank system inspected annually.

Do have your septic tank pumped out regularly by a licensed contractor.

Do keep your septic tank cover accessible for inspections and pumpings. Install risers to grade.

Do call a professional whenever you experience a problem with your system or if there any signs of a system failure.

Do keep a detailed record of repairs, pumpings, inspections, permits issued and other maintenance activities.

Do conserve water to avoid overloading the system. Be sure to repair any leaky faucets or toilets.

Do divert other sources of water, like roof drains, house footing drains and sump pumps, away from the septic system.

DO:

Do learn the location of your septic tank and drainfield. Keep a sketch of it handy with your maintenance records for service visits.

Do have your septic tank system inspected annually.

Do have your septic tank pumped out regularly by a licensed contractor.

Do keep your septic tank cover accessible for inspections and pumpings. Install risers to grade.

Do call a professional whenever you experience a problem with your system or if there any signs of a system failure.

Do keep a detailed record of repairs, pumpings, inspections, permits issued and other maintenance activities.

Do conserve water to avoid overloading the system. Be sure to repair any leaky faucets or toilets.

Do divert other sources of water, like roof drains, house footing drains and sump pumps, away from the septic system.

DON'T:

Don't go down into a septic tank. Toxic gases are produced by the natural treatment processes in septic tanks and can kill in minutes. Extreme care should be taken when inspecting a septic tank, even when just looking inside.

Don't allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system.

Don't plant anything over or near the drainfield except grass. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage the drain lines.

Don't dig in your drainfield or build anything over it and don't cover the drainfield with a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt. The area over the drainfield should have only a grass cover. The grass will not only prevent erosion but will help remove excess water.

Don't make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required health department permit. Use professional licensed septic contractors when needed.

Don't use septic tank additives. These products do not help and some may even be harmful to your system.

Don't use your toilet as a trash can or pour harmful chemicals and cleansers down the drain. Harsh chemicals can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater.
Don't use a garbage disposal without checking with your local regulatory agency to make sure that your septic system can accommodate this additional waste.

Don't allow backwash from home water softeners to enter the septic system.

Don't use powdered detergent for either laundry or dishwasher.

Don't use bleach in every load of laundry, bleach kills beneficial bacteria in your septic system. Minimize the use of bleach and other disinfectants.

DON'T:

Don't go down into a septic tank. Toxic gases are produced by the natural treatment processes in septic tanks and can kill in minutes. Extreme care should be taken when inspecting a septic tank, even when just looking inside.

Don't allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system.

Don't plant anything over or near the drainfield except grass. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage the drain lines.

Don't dig in your drainfield or build anything over it and don't cover the drainfield with a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt. The area over the drainfield should have only a grass cover. The grass will not only prevent erosion but will help remove excess water.

Don't make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required health department permit. Use professional licensed septic contractors when needed.
Don't use septic tank additives. These products do not help and some may even be harmful to your system. 

Don't use your toilet as a trash can or pour harmful chemicals and cleansers down the drain. Harsh chemicals can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater. 
Don't use a garbage disposal without checking with your local regulatory agency to make sure that your septic system can accommodate this additional waste.

Don't allow backwash from home water softeners to enter the septic system.

Don't use powdered detergent for either laundry or dishwasher.

Don't use bleach in every load of laundry, bleach kills beneficial bacteria in your septic system. Minimize the use of bleach and other disinfectants.

DON'T:

Don't go down into a septic tank. Toxic gases are produced by the natural treatment processes in septic tanks and can kill in minutes. Extreme care should be taken when inspecting a septic tank, even when just looking inside.

Don't allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system.

Don't plant anything over or near the drainfield except grass. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage the drain lines.

Don't dig in your drainfield or build anything over it and don't cover the drainfield with a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt. The area over the drainfield should have only a grass cover. The grass will not only prevent erosion but will help remove excess water.

Don't make or allow repairs to your septic system without obtaining the required health department permit. Use professional licensed septic contractors when needed.

Don't use septic tank additives. These products do not help and some may even be harmful to your system.

Don't use your toilet as a trash can or pour harmful chemicals and cleansers down the drain. Harsh chemicals can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater.
Don't use a garbage disposal without checking with your local regulatory agency to make sure that your septic system can accommodate this additional waste.

Don't allow backwash from home water softeners to enter the septic system.

Don't use powdered detergent for either laundry or dishwasher.

Don't use bleach in every load of laundry, bleach kills beneficial bacteria in your septic system. Minimize the use of bleach and other disinfectants.
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