Below you will find a list of commonly asked questions and answers.

What can I flush or pour down my drains?

A: Moderate use of household drain solvents, cleaners, disinfectants, etc., should not interfere with the operation of the sewage disposal system. However, indiscriminate use may cause problems. Toilet paper substitutes, paper towels, newspaper, sanitary napkins, etc., should not be flushed into the septic tank since they will not readily decompose.

What about garbage disposal units? I’d like to have one installed.

A: Waste from garbage disposal units are not easily digested by bacteria in the septic tank and only add to the volume of solids which must be removed when cleaning the tank. Therefore, the use of garbage disposal units is not recommended.

Can I pave my driveway or install a shed over my absorbtion area?

A: The area above and near a soil absorption system should never be used as a traffic area for vehicles, pedestrians or animals. An accumulation of snow during the winter is important in order to maintain a cover of natural insulation to prevent freezing.

The area over a disposal field should have a good vegetation cover. However, shrubs or trees should not be planted over the area in order to expose the ground cover to sunlight/heat.

I’ve heard of "Starters" and "Cleaners" for my septic system. Are they necessary?

A: There is no need to use commercial “starters,” “bacterial feeds” or “cleaners” for the septic tank or disposal field. Some additives can actually create problems by causing solids to be carried into the absorption system, resulting in soil clogging.