Your Septic System: Protecting Your Investment & the Environment

1. Maintaining Your Septic System

Most rural homes and cottages in Ontario use a septic system — a sewage system that consists of a concrete or plastic tank and a leaching bed. You own the septic system and are responsible for its safe operation, maintenance and repair. A septic system is like any other equipment in your house. If you operate and maintain the system responsibly, it will work well and should last a long time. A properly functioning septic system provides a safe, reliable way of treating your household wastewater. If you don’t maintain your septic system, you could be endangering your family’s health, the integrity of the natural environment and nearby water sources.

2. Regular Maintenance

Regular pumping along with visual inspections can find existing or potential problems before they become severe and more costly to fix. Regular maintenance can also add years to the life of your system, benefitting you and protecting the great lakes and drinking water sources. Regular maintenance will vary based on the type, age, and use of the system. Regular maintenance for a conventional septic system would mean cleaning out the effluent filter (if one is installed) and pumping out the septic tank once every one to five years. Systems that use treatment units other than septic tanks need to have a maintenance contract with a person who is authorized by the manufacturer to maintain the unit. Advanced treatment units need annual monitoring.

3. Operating Your Septic System Safely

Here are some things you can do to responsibly operate and maintain your septic system:

• Know the location of your tank and bed, and protect it from damage. Don’t drive over it or construct anything (e.g., pools, driveways and sheds) on or near any part of it.

• Have the tank pumped out every one to five years. A professional technician can help determine the correct schedule for your system.

• Don’t put food, compost or grease down your drains.

• Conserve water and try to spread water use over the course of the week, especially laundry.

• Avoid excessive use of anti-bacterial soaps, bleaches and harsh cleaning products.

• Don’t put paints, solvents, pesticides and other toxic chemicals in your system; use recycling or hazardous waste collection programs for these substances.

• Keep trees and shrubs away from the leaching bed. Roots can grow into your leaching bed and causes pre-mature septic failure.

• The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recommends you sample the water and test for bacteria to ensure your well water is safe. Testing water samples is a free service offered through your local public health unit.

• Inform your guests or renters not to flush non-organics down the toilet. Download our fun sign, print it, frame it and place in the bathroom to avoid those awkward conversations!

4. Inspections

Buyers, real estate agents and financial institutions often request that septic systems be inspected as a condition of sale. Like a home inspection, a septic inspection can uncover problems and protect the buyer against unexpected costs. Septic systems not working properly can emit wastes and bacteria that contaminate groundwater or nearby surface water. You can prevent this by having your system inspected regularly.

5. Signs That Your System Might be Failing

Your septic system may be in trouble if you experience any of the following:

• Spongy spots on or near the leaching bed

• Slow flushing toilet

• Gurgling sound in tub or shower when you flush

• Unpleasant odour in or outdoors

• Leaking water from your drainage piping inside the house

If you notice these issues you should schedule a pump-out and visual inspection.

6. Landscaping your Septic System

Landscaping over a septic system is a challenge for many homeowners. Anything planted near a septic system needs to have shallow roots so that the leaching tiles don’t get clogged. Use this guide to find out how plants can help your leaching bed, which herbaceous perennials and annuals to plant, and techniques to reduce tree root intrusion.