Pembrooke Homeowners Association

Wastewater Woes

Nov 01, 2004

If you?’re new to Pembrooke, you might not be aware that our sewage doesn?’t flow to the nearest waste management facility. Instead, we have septic systems in our yards.

A septic system consists of a collection tank and a soil absorption system. Treatment begins in the tank, where heavy solids settle into sludge at the bottom, grease and fat float to the surface as scum, and waste begins breaking down.

As new wastewater enters the septic tank, the old water flows into an underground drain field made of perforated pipes buried in gravel. Soil and microorganisms remove remaining pollutants as the water slowly filters down to the water table.

If the tank is not pumped out periodically, sludge and scum will accumulate until wastewater is released into the drain field before it has time to decompose and settle. The drain field eventually will become too clogged to function.

Warning Signals
Houses in Pembrooke are now around fifteen years old and drain fields are beginning to fail. How do you know if you have a potential problem? Common warning signals are:

?• Toilets bubble or burp.
?• Tubs and showers drain slowly or back up.
?• The yard is boggy above the drain field.
If you notice any of these signs, contact a waste management company immediately because the problem will not resolve itself. In the meantime, locate and uncap the inspection port on the main sewage line. This is a white cap about 4?”in diameter that can be found at ground level within a foot or two of the front wall of the house. Unscrewing the cap will keep any overflow in the yard. Not pleasant, but better there than in the house.
Problem Prevention

With replacement costs running as high as $6,000, it pays to keep your septic system healthy. You can extend its life by following some simple rules:

?• Stagger heavy water use, because overloading the system is the primary cause of problems. Run dishwashers and washing machines at times of the day when people aren?’t showering. Spread laundry loads over several days.

?• Minimize use of the garbage disposal in order to prevent too much solid waste going into the septic tank.

?• Never pour fats and oils down the drain. Avoid dumping solvents like dry cleaning fluid, pesticides, photographic chemicals, and paint thinner, or auto products down the drain.

Don?’t add enzymes to your system. They don?’t improve how well it works and can even damage it.