| Two Components | | | | lawn sprinkler systems must not be located within |
| Class 4 septic systems are divided into two | | | | this area. |
| components, the septic tank and the septic field or | | | | Helpful Hints |
| leaching bed. Waste is piped out of the house into | | | | Limiting excessive amounts of water in a short time |
| the septic tank, which is essentially a water | | | | can help reduce disruption of the septic process. You |
| clarification tank, in which anaerobic bacteria break | | | | may want to consider the following water use |
| the waste down into solids (sludge), liquid effluent, | | | | reduction practices: |
| and scum. | | | | * Install water saving shower heads, sink aerators, |
| | | | and low-flush toilets. |
| The solids settle to the bottom, the scum floats to | | | | * Use dishwashers and washing machines only for full |
| the top and the liquid effluent flows through an outlet | | | | loads, and stagger the loads through the week. |
| pipe into a distribution chamber, where it is directed | | | | * Don't run water continuously when shaving, |
| to the septic field. The septic field is an effluent | | | | brushing teeth, rinsing dishes or veggies. |
| water disposal system, where the liquid is channeled | | | | * A container of water in the fridge prevents the |
| through perforated pipes to different parts of a field | | | | need to run water continuously for a cold drink. |
| of loose gravel. | | | | * The installation of garbage grinders, large volume |
| Septic Tank | | | | hot tubs or spas are not recommended unless the |
| Materials that initially float in the scum layer are kept | | | | septic system has been sized to accomodate their |
| out of the drainage sytem by an outflow tee or | | | | use. |
| baffle. If the tank is not pumped regularly, the level | | | | * The use of biodegradable products is highly |
| of solids can rise, and if it approaches the level of the | | | | recommended. Disposal of non-biodegradeable |
| outflow tee, scum and solids can proceed out into | | | | products such as condoms, feminine hygiene |
| the drainage system, clogging the pipes and gravel - | | | | products, plastics, dental floss, etc. is strongly |
| and eventually preventing the absorption of the | | | | discouraged. |
| water by the surrounding earth. | | | | If you have questions regarding the care and |
| A Class 5 septic system is a holding tank for the | | | | maintenance of your septic system, consult your |
| storage of sewage at the site where it is produced. | | | | contractor or the Environmental Protection Division of |
| A typical holding tank system is comprised of a single | | | | your local Health Department. |
| compartment tank with a pump-out stack and an | | | | The standards for private sewage systems are |
| audible or visual warning device to alert the | | | | prescribed in Ontario Regulation 358/90, under the |
| homeowner when the tank requires emptying. A | | | | Enviromental Protection Act, and the Guidelines |
| holding tank is costly to operate, places restrictions | | | | established by Ministry of Environment, and |
| of the owner, and is dependent on Class 7 (hauled) | | | | requirements of your local munipality or township. |
| sewage system for waste collection and disposal. | | | | General Guidelines for Purchasers |
| A property serviced by a holding tank system | | | | * If the system is 5-7 years old and has never been |
| requires an agreement registered on title to notify | | | | pumped it is unlikely that there are serious problems. |
| current and future owners of the servicing | | | | * If there is no record of the system having been |
| restrictions on the property. | | | | pumped but the owner has a vague recollection of |
| Care and Maintenance | | | | pumping the system at some time in the distant |
| With proper care and maintenance, your septic tank | | | | past, figure that it has never been pumped. |
| and field should provide many years of trouble-free | | | | * If the system is over 10 years old and has never |
| service. There are, however, some important steps | | | | been pumped, it is possible that there has been some |
| to follow to help you maintain the proper operation | | | | damage to the septic field, and if it's not been |
| of your sewage disposal system. | | | | pumped for over 15 years it is quite likely. |
| The Honey Wagon! | | | | * The only way to make an accurate determination |
| The septic tank in a residential system should be | | | | of the system is to have a licensed contractor or |
| inspected at least once every two years for sludge | | | | engineering firm perform a tank, distribution chamber |
| buildup. The tank should be pumped by a licensed | | | | and field inspection, and possibly soils sampling. |
| septic tank pumping contractor when necessary. | | | | * Flushing dye through the system looks good but |
| Under normal use a septic tank should have its | | | | will only indicate systems that are already |
| contents removed every two to three years. | | | | seriouslyclogged, in which case there should already |
| The use of starters, bacterial feeds or cleaners in a | | | | be more obvious signs. |
| septic system is normally not necessary. | | | | * Flushing dye may not indicate serious defects or |
| The final grade (top soil) over the field should not be | | | | indicate systems that are close to failure but still |
| altered after it has been installed and inspected, and | | | | functional. |
| should be kept grassed after installation. Shrubs, | | | | * If you are on a septic system, adding a bedroom, |
| trees or gardens should not be established over the | | | | even without adding a bathroom, may mean having |
| septic field. | | | | to increase the size of the tank and drainage field. |
| Discharge from evestough drains and sump pumps | | | | Visit the RotoRooter website for more info about |
| should not be directed into or over a septic field, and | | | | plumbing, sewage, and septic systems. |