INDIANAPOLIS—According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly one quarter of all American households—more than 26 million homes—depend on septic systems to treat their wastewater.
This week is the second annual SepticSmart Week, an initiative launched by the EPA that promotes and encourages homeowners to maintain their septic system. If a septic system is not properly maintained, it can lead to costly repairs, polluted local waterways and risks to public health and the environment.
“Since city sewers cannot reach all areas of our state, septic systems are a viable part of our wastewater treatment infrastructure,” said Mike Mettler, REHS, Director, Environmental Public Health at the Indiana State Department of Health. “But these systems, just like your car, need periodic maintenance to assure proper operation and prevent having to perform costly repairs and the creation of a serious health hazard on your property.”
In Indiana, on average, around 11,000 septic systems are installed each year. Homeowners are responsible for maintaining their septic systems and proper care and maintenance is vital to the protection of public health and preservation of valuable water resources. Proper system maintenance as well as mindful daily household use will help keep a system from malfunctioning and will help to maintain their investment in their home.
The Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management encourage homeowners to be SepticSmart by following these tips:
- Homeowners should have their systems inspected every three years by a licensed contractor and have their tanks pumped when necessary, approximately every three to five years.
- Avoid pouring fats, grease and solids down the drain.
- Be water efficient and spread out water use. Consider fixing plumbing leaks and installing faucet aerators. Also, spread out laundry and dishwasher loads throughout the day. Too much water at once can overload a system if it hasn’t been pumped recently.
- Remind guests not to park or drive on a system’s absorption field, where the vehicle’s weight could damage buried pipes or disrupt underground flow.
