Water Conservation: Good for the Environment and Good for Your Septic Tank
World Water Day is March 22, which is a good day to stop and notice how water is being used (or maybe even wasted) in and around your home. Using less water is not only good for the environment but it is also good for your septic system.
Your septic system treats and disposes of sewage from toilets and also receives wastewater from other fixtures like showers, kitchen sinks, dishwashers, and washing machines. By using less water you are placing less of a load on the soil absorption area (drainfield) thereby extending the life of your septic system. Like any drainage system, your drainfield has a limited capacity and excessive water use may overload your septic system and could ultimately lead to system failure. Water conservation is a simple yet effective addition to your regular septic maintenance plan.
Use Water Wisely
Making a few small changes in your daily behavior can lead to using significantly less water. FloHawks would like to share some simple conservation tips. And remind you that it’s not all or nothing — adopting one or two of them can lead to differences that really do add up in combination and over time. Every drop counts!
Fix leaky faucets and running toilets. Leaking toilets can be the #1 cause of excess water use, wasting hundreds of gallons of water a day! Leaky faucets can waste 10 gallons or more per day.
Don’t leave the water running. Turn off the water when it’s not needed while you shave, wash hands, brush teeth, or wash dishes.
Don’t flush trash down your toilet. Flushing the toilet uses a lot of water so trash that can go in the wastebasket should not be flushed down the toilet. A good rule of thumb is not to flush things into the septic that did not go through your mouth (except toilet paper). This saves water and reduces the amount of solids in the septic tank, thereby improving the life of your system.
Use water-efficient fixtures. Devices like low-flow shower heads, sink faucet aerators, and low-flush toilets can reduce water use up to 50% – saving you money and conserving.
Only run full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. For newer models, adjust the settings on your machine to the proper load size.
Pace your laundry. Avoid overtaxing your system by using a lot of water in a short time period. Try to space out activities requiring heavy water use (like laundry) over the week to avoid overloading the drain field.
Make it a family affair. Teach all family members water-saving practices and share these tips with your guests when they visit your home.
