I have a 52 year old septic system. I have lived here 3 years and had the tank pumped last fall. Even though I had added enzymes on a regulas basis, there was still a foot of sludge. I have changed toilet paper to a type for septic tanks, however I am wondering about the antibacterial hand and dish soap we use. I have had this in storage and really dislike buying new when I already have it. I began using this soap when my daughter was still at home years ago. She has a supressed immune system and this made a real difference in how sick she was. (No matter what you teach them, they never will wash their hands long enough). Lately, I thought I could smell my tank. It is not on my property. This is an old farm house and when the heirs spit the property, the section with the tank went to a different heir. I do have an easment on my neighbors property however I don't make a habit of going back there to check my tank. I am not completly sure that I smelled it because I am surrounded by dairy farms etc. A lot of smells come thru my window at night. It has made me think about proper care of a septic system. The man who pumped me out last year gave me some new enzymes when I regularly add. Thanks.

-- Cheryl Cox (bramblecottage@hotmail.com), August 16, 2000

Answers

Response to septic system

If you can smell your septic tank mostly likely your leach fields are saturated. For the expense of renewing them, particular since they are not on your property, it might be better to have a new tank and lines installed on your property. You didn't indicate how long ago it had been pumped out before you had it done. Perhaps it took 20 years for the build up. I doubt your soap is making much of a difference in the tank. I would be more concerned about a washer emptying into it. Each load likely includes lint, dirt, soap and bleach. If the house has a basement, can you put in a gray water system?

-- Ken S. in TN (scharabo@aol.com), August 16, 2000.

Response to septic system

I would ditch the enzymes. We have lived with old septic systems and now hubby works with them...the enzymes don't really make a difference-and can cause an imbalance.

And the washer discharge also makes a difference-if you have a smaller system especially-and a drain field that might need work. We re routed ours so it doesn't go into the tank-and it made a big difference! Oh and the antibacterial sops are probably okay-but watch the bleach in the wash.

Hope that helps, Sarah

-- Sarah (heartsong85@juno.com), August 18, 2000.

Response to septic system

I haven't smelled anything lately. Maybe it was someone else's blowing in. It has made me think of what I need to do to keep my system healthy. Thanks for the help. I'm sorry I was unable to reply sooner.

-- Cheryl Cox (bramblecottage@hotmail.com), August 20, 2000.

Response to septic system

Cheryl (and anyone else with a septic system), I would really recommend reading The Septic System Owners Manual, reviewed on page 95 of the Sept/Oct. Countryside. It's a very informative---and interestingly written---book, that could save you a lot of grief, as well as $$$. If nothing else, you'll know a whole lot more than most people do about this virtually essential part of country living. Jd

-- Jd (belanger@tds.net), August 22, 2000.