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Have the septic tank cleaned before sludge or scum accumulates to the bottom of the tank’s outlet device (about every 3 to 5 years). If too much sludge accumulates, solids will leave the tank with the liquid and possibly clog the soil. Sewage will then surface or back up into the house through the plumbing fixtures.

Septic tank pumpers are equipped to clean septic tanks. Only people registered with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality may pump and transport septic tank sludge.

Cleaning products may alter the treatment process. When choosing a cleaning product, first read the label:

• Danger means that the chemical will kill the microbes; use it rarely or never.

• Warning means that limited use should not affect the system much.

• Caution typically means that the product will have little effect on the system.

Do not use in-sink garbage grinders excessively or discard too much grease. Garbage grinders can cause sludge or scum to build up rapidly, making it necessary to clean the septic system more frequently and possibly causing it to malfunction because the wastewater is too strong for the system to handle.

Divert any rainwater runoff from driveways, roofs, and other hard surfaces away from the soil treatment area of the final treatment and dispersal component. This area is designed to handle a specific volume of water, and excess rainwater could overwhelm the system, leaving no capacity for wastewater. Landscape design should channel runoff away from the soil treatment area.

Water pooling over the components can seep into them. Additionally, the tanks are set in an excavation that is backfilled with material that can retain water. If the system isn’t watertight, this accumulated water may infiltrate the system, causing sewage to flow through the treatment system and into the yard.

• Check for depressions in the ground above the tanks, as these can collect rainwater. If rainwater enters the system, it can overload the treatment components.
• Observe the color and growth of the grass around the tank. Excessive growth and a darker green color compared to the surrounding grass may indicate a broken tank or piping.
• If the tank has a riser, ensure it is in good condition and properly sealed to prevent water infiltration.

• Assess system performance during rainy periods. An unexplained increase in dosing cycles or the spray distribution system operating during rain could suggest that rainwater is infiltrating the system.

Maintain a grass cover over the final treatment and dispersal area by planting warm-season grasses that require more water and overseeding with cool-season grasses for winter. Grass cover helps remove a significant amount of water from the system, so it’s essential to keep it healthy. Trees, which also help with water removal, can be planted around the perimeter of the system. However, avoid planting them too close to the soil treatment area, as their roots may clog distribution pipes.

Prescription antibiotics and other drugs are very harsh on the microbes within the system. Disposing of them through the wastewater system increases maintenance needs. For guidance on properly disposing of unused medications, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website.

The toilet is not meant for trash disposal. Avoid flushing items like cleaning tissues, wet wipes, cigarette butts, diapers, condoms, or any other non-biodegradable waste. These materials don’t break down and lead to quicker buildup of solids, requiring more frequent removal by a pump truck.