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Important Environmental Links
Information believed accurate but not guaranteed. The Union County Health Department disclaims liability for any errors or omissions. Contact the Union County Health Department at 937-642-0801 or toll free 888-333-9461 or email at HC@uchd.net. |
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What
can I do to make my
system work better?
The homeowner's habits are the most important factors to ensuring a long life and minimal maintenance to an aerobic treatment unit. The following "do's and don'ts" should be practiced by the homeowner.
DO's
The
garbage disposal should be used sparingly. Grease, etc. should be disposed
of in the garbage can. Some food waste can be composted. Food waste represents
additional loading the aerobic treatment unit and would have to digest, increasing
pump out intervals.
Wash
loads must be spread out over the week. Once a week multiple loads and half
loads are not recommended.
Recommended
detergents are lowsudsing, low phosphates and biodegradable, with washing
soda ingredients. Fabric softener dryer sheets are recommended instead of
products which go in the washing machine.
Recommended
cleaning products are non-chlorine, biodegradable, non-toxic and non-corrosive.
DON'Ts
Do
not dispose of non-biodegradable or slowly-biodegradable items such as cigarette
butts, disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products, condoms, hair, coffee
grounds, rags, paper towels, bandages, etc.
Do
not dispose of citrus products (oranges, lemons, grapefruit, etc.)
Do
not use additives for septic systems--they do more harm than good.
Do
not connect other water sources to the system to prevent hydraulic overload
(i.e. discharge from water softeners).
Do
not dispose of strong medicines or antibiotics. Anti-bacterial soaps should
be avoided.
Do
not dispose of home brewery waste.
Do
not use strong disinfectants or bleaches, such as: Lysol, Pine-Sol, Tidy Bowl,
or Drano.
Do
not dispose of grease, fats, and oils.
Do
not dispose of pesticides, herbicides, or any other toxins.
Do
not dispose of paints, household chemicals, automobile fluids, or discard
mop water into the system.
Do not use any yeast or any other septic system additives. These do not work as advertised. "Seeding" the plant with bacterial cultures is not required as they normally develop within a 5 to 12-week period. Initially, large amounts of white foam may develop, but this will subside as sludge develops.
Pump out the system according the the recommended schedule.
Operate the aerator motor for the recommended amount of time.
For Oldham systems - Get the motor
out of the caustic and humid sewer gas environment which is very hard on the
motor. Move the motor into a nearby (within 15-20 feet) garage, shed, basement
or some other weather and waterproof structure and bury the air line to the
system. Some people have gotten creative with this by building a structure
that looks like their home; some have put it in a wooden "well house";
others have added an additional riser next to the system.
For the do-it-yourselfer: Some aerobic treatment units are designed to use
compressors that work 24 hours/day. Both linear and rotary compressors operate
this way and produce about 2.5 -3.0 psi of air pressure. Reliable linear compressors
should reach about 50,000 hours of continuous use, while rotary compressors
may have a slightly longer lifespan. Maintenance on compressors include cleaning
or changing the filter up to twice per year and changing the vanes on a rotary
compressor every five years.
