What should you avoid putting in your septic....
Inert Materials:
Plastic, Rubber, Scouring Pads, Dental Floss, Kitty Litter, Cigarette Filters, Bandages, Hair, Mop Strings, Lint, Rags, Cloth and Towels do not degrade in an on-site treatment system.
Inert Materials will build up solids, and lead to system malfunction, clogging or increased pump out frequency.
Paper Products:
Disposable Diapers, Paper Towels, Baby Wipes, Facial Tissues, Baby Wipes, Lotions, Scented or Quilted Toilet tissue, Moist Toilet Paper, do not dissolve readily in an onsite treatment system. Excessive Amounts of toilet tissue will also not decompose. All can lead to system malfunction, back-up or increased pump out frequency.
Food Wastes:
Do not put Animal Fats & Bones, Grease, Coffee Grounds, Citrus & Melon Rinds, Corn Cobs, Egg Shells, down the sink. Garbage disposal use should be limited to waste that cannot be scooped out and thrown in the trash. Spoiled Dairy Products and Yeasts from home Brewery or Baking may cause excessive growth of microbes that do not degrade sewage.
Household Products:
Do not flush Baby Wipes, Lotions, Scented or Quilted Toilet tissue, Female Sanitary Products, Cotton Balls or Swabs, or Condoms. Anti-microbial Soaps and Automatic Disinfection Tablets (blue, clear or otherwise) may kill the organisms needed to consume waste.
Click here for a complete printable list.
Inert Materials:
Plastic, Rubber, Scouring Pads, Dental Floss, Kitty Litter, Cigarette Filters, Bandages, Hair, Mop Strings, Lint, Rags, Cloth and Towels do not degrade in an on-site treatment system.
Inert Materials will build up solids, and lead to system malfunction, clogging or increased pump out frequency.
Paper Products:
Disposable Diapers, Paper Towels, Baby Wipes, Facial Tissues, Baby Wipes, Lotions, Scented or Quilted Toilet tissue, Moist Toilet Paper, do not dissolve readily in an onsite treatment system. Excessive Amounts of toilet tissue will also not decompose. All can lead to system malfunction, back-up or increased pump out frequency.
Food Wastes:
Do not put Animal Fats & Bones, Grease, Coffee Grounds, Citrus & Melon Rinds, Corn Cobs, Egg Shells, down the sink. Garbage disposal use should be limited to waste that cannot be scooped out and thrown in the trash. Spoiled Dairy Products and Yeasts from home Brewery or Baking may cause excessive growth of microbes that do not degrade sewage.
Household Products:
Do not flush Baby Wipes, Lotions, Scented or Quilted Toilet tissue, Female Sanitary Products, Cotton Balls or Swabs, or Condoms. Anti-microbial Soaps and Automatic Disinfection Tablets (blue, clear or otherwise) may kill the organisms needed to consume waste.
Click here for a complete printable list.
On-site Septic Systems (OSS)
Small on-site sewage systems, also known as septic systems, treat wastewater from private residences and restaurants and are used extensively statewide. Defined in Chapter 246-272A WAC, small on-site sewage systems (OSS) are those sewage systems that have flows of less than 3,500 gallons per day. There are about 950,000 OSS in Washington. OSS that are properly designed, installed, and maintained can effectively treat residential wastewater for a long time. However, system failures can and do occur. When this happens both public health and the environment are threatened. An OSS failure can be caused by bad system design, improper maintenance, or simply because the system has reached the end of its life expectancy. System owners are often not aware when their OSS has stopped functioning properly and failing OSS are not detected. There are many documented cases where failing OSS have polluted surrounding areas. This site explains the importance of properly functioning OSS, how some areas are environmentally more sensitive to pollution from OSS, and the different roles state agencies, local health jurisdictions, and homeowners play in managing small on-site sewage systems. It also provides help and information on OSS management for both homeowners and local health jurisdictions.
Homeowner Septic Systems Resource / Study Guide for Licensed Onsite Sewage System Installers
Homeowner Septic Systems Resource / Study Guide for Licensed Onsite Sewage System Installers
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Asotin County Public Health leads the community through education and evidence-based practices to prevent illness, promote health, and protect the environment to improve the quality of life in our communities.