• When a home is on a septic system, care must be taken to ensure the proper environment for waste treatment. Unlike public sewer systems, septic systems rely on the balance of bacteria and the design of the system to eliminate toxic waste problems. When a system is sized right and working properly, it processes waste efficiently. However, septic systems are susceptible to failure when proper precautions and care are not used.
  
  

Prevention

• When your home is on a septic system, it is important to follow a few basic rules. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure in this case. Do not use more water than necessary. If it is possible, install low-water-use appliances such as a front loading washer. Running water creates excessive gray water that disturbs the environment in a septic system that naturally takes care of waste. Landscaping irrigation should be done via a drip system or timers. Inspect the area in which your system is located regularly. Large spots of green grass growing in an area you do not water can indicate a leak. Other common household items that can damage the septic environment are grease and hair. These do not break down, and if excessive amounts are introduced, they will eventually clog the system. Chemicals such as bleach destroy the friendly bacteria needed to process waste, and should be avoided as much as possible.
  
  

Maintenance

• Septic systems depend on a proper balance of water---they need enough water to allow solids to process, without having too much that they end up overflowing. Good bacteria control the solid waste, while good drainage controls the liquid waste. If the drains become clogged as a result of too little water and not enough bacteria, the water trying to pass through the system backs up. Some septic systems are equipped with an alarm that sounds when they begin to overflow. A septic system should be inspected on a regular basis; once a year is recommended for the average size family.
  
  If your septic system is just beginning to fail, there are natural and mechanical ways to help. First, have the system pumped to empty the tank. This should be done on a regular basis, with the time frame depending on the size of the system vs. the water usage and waste produced.
  
  

Failure

• Pumping the system allows the bacterial environment to begin anew. While pumping will eliminate solids and some liquids, it is not a cure-all. When any area of the drain field is clogged, problems can occur. Septic systems can be costly to replace, and in some instances there is just not enough room on a property to replace them. There are formulations that are intended to restore the balance to a septic system. These may work if your system is not too mechanically damaged. Some of these are meant to condition the soil around the septic drain, while others are biologically engineered to restore the environment necessary to process waste. An inspection can reveal the extent of the damage. Adding gravel or rock to the soil around the drain system may relieve the problems and extend the life of your septic system. In some newer, less rural areas public sewer systems have been installed.You may, as a last resort, be able to hook into the public sewer system at a lower cost than installing a new septic system.