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8 CARE OF YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM . A "starter" is not needed for bacterial action to begin in a septic tank. Many bacteria are present in the materials deposited into the tank and will thrive under the growth conditions present. . Additives should not be used since they are of no benefit and some may do great harm. Additives that cause the accumulated sludge in the tank bottom to increase in volume will result in the sludge being flushed out into the drainfield, plugging soil pores. Other additives, particularly degreasers, may be carcinogens (cancer- causing) or suspected carcinogens that will flow directly into the groundwater along with the treated sewage. . Discharge all sewage wastes from the home into the septic tank. Don't run laundry wastes directly into the drainfield since soap or detergent scums will quickly clog the soil pores, causing failure. . Small amounts of household detergents, bleaches, drain cleaners, toilet bowl deodorizers and other household chemicals can be used and won't harm the bacterial action in the septic tank. Do not use excessive amounts of any household chemicals. . Don't deposit coffee grounds, cooking fats, wet. strength towels, disposable diapers, facial tissues, cigarette butts and similar nondecomposable materials into the house sewer. None of these materials will decompose and they will cause a rapid accumulation of solids in the septic tank. . Avoid dumping grease down the drain. It may plug sewer pipes or build up in the septic tank and plug the inlet. Keep a separate container for waste grease and throw it out with the trash. . Remove the sludge and scum by pumping every one to three years for a 1 ,OOO-gallon tank serving CITY OF RAMSEY: Mayor: James Gilbertson Councilmembers: Sheila Beyer Glen Hardin Kenneth Peterson Gerald Zimmerman City Administrator: Ryan Schroeder Administrative Offices: Public Works Department: Police Department: Fire Department: Fire and Police Emergency: 441-4077 753-4314 753-4964 427.3844 753.4387 427.1410 427.1410 427-4180 427-6812 427.3674 911 Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday r a three bedroom home having four occupants (with no garbage disposal). . When your septic tank is cleaned, you must remove the manhole cover or the tank cover to facilitate cleaning and to be sure that all solids have been pumped out. The process usually results in the scum layer plugging the outlet baffle. So be sure that the tank is open when you have it cleaned. At this time the baffles also can be inspected and replaced if necessary. . If you must use a garbage disposal, you will need to remove septic tank solids every year or more often. Ground garbage frequently will find its way out of the septic tank and clog the soil treatment system. . Use a good quality toilet tissue that breaks up easily when wet. To determine suitable quality toilet tissue, place a portion in a fruit jar half full of water. Shake the jar and if the tissue breaks up easily, the product is suitable. High wet-strength toilet tissues are less desirable. The color of the toilet tissue has no effect on the septic system. . Each septic system has a certain capacity. When this capacity is reached or exceeded, there will be problems with the system accepting as much sewage as you want to discharge into it. When the sewage approaches its discharge capacity, be conservative with your use of water. Each gallon of water that flows into the drain must be treated and disposed. Repair all leaky plumbing fixtures and, if possible, reduce the amount of water used for bathing, doing laundry and flushing the toilet. . Reducing toilet wastes is the single most effective way to reduce sewage flows. The flush toilet accounts for about 40 percent of sewage wastes from an average home. Many flush toilets use five to six gallons per flush. Flush toilets that use less than a quart of water per flush are available. . Routinely check the toilet float valve to be sure it isn't sticking and the water isn't running continuously. Be sure the toilet is not flushed unnecessarily. Don't use the toilet to dispose of housecleaning water or cigarette butts. . Determine how much water your automatic washer uses per cycle. Front-loading washers and suds savers typically use less water than top- loading machines. If your sewage system is approaching its maximum capacity, try to spread the washing out during the week to avoid overloading the sewage system on a single day. . Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator. Then it will not be necessary to run the faucet for a period of time to obtain cold water. . Baths and showers can use appreciable amounts of water. Shower heads that limit the flow rate to two gallons of water per minute are available. Filling the tub not quite so full and limiting the length of showers could result in appreciable water savings. . Water softener recharge wastes will not harm septic tank action, but the additional water must be treated and disposed of by the soil treatment system. If the softener wastewater creates an overload to the sewage system, the wastewater can be discharged to the ground surface, since it contains no pathogens. The wastewater s h 0 u I d be discharged in a location where it does not cause a nuisance or damage valuable vegetation. . Detergents can cause problems with septic systems. It is difficult to estimate the amount of cleaning power required for a load of laundry, so people usually use too much. Be wary of inexpensive washing products, which may contain excessive quantities of filler or carrier, some of which can be extremely detrimental to the sewage system. The best solution is to use liquid laundry detergents, since they are less likely to have carriers or fillers that are detrimental to a septic system. . Never go down into a septic tank. The gases present may poison or asphyxiate you. Only trained professionals should enter a septic tank. CAR-RT SRT BULJ( RATE u.s. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 10. \3\ AIlIlKA, MIl 55303 POSTAL CUSTOMER