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<br />
<br />CARE OF YOUR SEPTIC
<br />
<br />SYSTEM
<br />
<br />· A"saartBr" Is not needed for ~
<br />action to begin in a septic tank. Many
<br />bacteria are pI8S8I'It In !he maaerials
<br />deposited into !he tank and M1ltriYe under
<br />!he lJOWIh conditions present.
<br />· Additives should not be used. since !hey
<br />are or no benefit and some may do great
<br />harm. Additives ht cause .. accumulated
<br />sludge In !he tank botDn to increase in
<br />YOlume wiJI resUt in .. sludge being flushed
<br />out lnm t1e drainIieId, plugging soil pores.
<br />Other additives. particUaIIy dlqeasers, may
<br />be carcinogens (cancer-<:auslng) or
<br />SlISp8Ct8d carcinogens ht wiI flow direcUy
<br />i/W) t1e ~ along with !he treated
<br />sewage.
<br />· Discharge all sewage wastes from !he
<br />home ink>> the septic tank. Don't roo laundry
<br />wastes direclly Into !he drainfield, since soap
<br />or detergent scums will quicIdy clog the soil
<br />pores, causing failure.
<br />· Normal amot.flts of household detergents,
<br />bleaches, drain cIeaners,k>i1et bowl
<br />deodorizers, and other household chemicals
<br />can be used and won't harm the bacterial
<br />action in t1e septic tank. Do not use
<br />excessive amounts of any household
<br />chemicals.
<br />· Don't deposit coffee grounds, cooking
<br />fats, wet-slrenglh DNeIs, disposable diapers,
<br />facial tissues, cigarette butts, and similar
<br />nondecomposable materials ink) !he house
<br />sewer. None of t1ese materials will
<br />decompose, and they will cause a rapid
<br />accumulation of solids in t1e septic tank.
<br />· Avoid dtlnping grease down t1e drain. It
<br />may plug sewer pipes or build up in t1e
<br />septic tank and plug the inlet Keep a
<br />separate conIainer for waste grease and
<br />ttYow it out with the trash.
<br />· Remove the sludge and scum by pumping
<br />every 1 to 2 years for a 1.000iJaII0n tank
<br />serving a 3-bedroom home having 4
<br />occupants (and with no garbage disposal).
<br />· When 'PI septic lank is cleaned, you
<br />must remove !he manhole cover or !he tank
<br />cover to facilitate cleaning and to be sure that
<br />all solids have been punped Oti. A septic
<br />tank camot be cleaned adequately by
<br />punping out liquids through a 4-inch
<br />inspecIion pipe. The process usually resulls
<br />in the scum layer plugging the outlet baffle.
<br />So be sure that the tank is open when you
<br />have it cleaned. At this lime, the baffles also
<br />can be inspected and replaced If necessary.
<br />
<br />RECYCLING RECYCLABLES
<br />
<br />Much is heard today about recycing. Many commooities have facilities for the collection of
<br />glass, newspapers, a1Lmirun cans, H:. Ever more frequently we see "made from recycled
<br />paper" on greeting cards, grocery bags, and other paper proOOcts.
<br />But can a material be recycled indefiritely? Yes and no, according to the Mimesola Extension
<br />Service in Anoka CotIlty.
<br />Glass, for example, is essentially 100 percent recyclable. It can be used again and again and
<br />theoretically should never have to reach the landfil. Today, at least 30 percent of the glass on
<br />store shelves is recycled glass.
<br />Aluminun can also be endlessly recycled. Using recycled instead of raN materials saves 95
<br />percent of the energy needed to produce new cans.
<br />Paper can also be recycled, but only cer1ain kinds presently and only for a limited runber of
<br />times. Some coated papers camot be recycled easily, or at all. As paper is recycled its fibers are
<br />shortened lIld t1e quality degrades, consequenUy paper camot be recycled indefinitely. The
<br />maximum times paper can be recycled is about seven times then it wi. have to go the Iandlill.
<br />Although paper camot be recycled forever, it must be remembered that one ton of recycled
<br />paper saves approximately 17 trees flat took 20 years to grf1II.
<br />Plastics, in II their present torms and formulae, range from easily recycled to impossible.
<br />More research and easier identifICation of existing plastic composition is necessary before the
<br />average individual will be able to adequately collect and relum recyclable plastics.
<br />
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<br />
<br />JUNE UPDATE
<br />
<br />In the table below the weight of materials recycled in the aKbside programs for May 1991 are
<br />compared ., AprM 1991. All weights and changes are listed in pounds.
<br />
<br /> May April
<br />Material Weight Weight Change
<br />Glass 18,340 17,380 +960
<br />Newspaper 63,040 55,360 +7,680
<br />Plastic 3,320 3,580 -260
<br />Metal Cans 6,520 4,860 + 1,660
<br />Total 91,220 81,180 +10,040
<br />+ indicates an increase
<br />- indicates a decrease
<br />
<br />Remember, if you are taking yotJ' materials to drop-off locations outside of Ramsey, please
<br />bring yotJ' receipts for the materials k) City HaM so the City can record the materials.
<br />
<br />The recycUng dates for May are:
<br />
<br />Western or shaded area of Ihe City
<br />Eastern or nonshaded area of Ihe City
<br />
<br />July 1st & 15th
<br />July 8th & 22th
<br />
<br />There wiN be NO pIck-up on July 29th lilt IlIhe Rfth Monday of July.
<br />
<br />SUMMER HOURS FOR RAMSEY COMMUNm EDUCATION
<br />
<br />8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
<br />Monday - Thursday
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