Bacteria In Septic Tanks

Although their work is not glamorous, bacteria in septic tanks are the work horses of your system. Keep the bacteria in your septic tank happy and healthy.

While inspections and pumping go a long way, many are surprised to find that your septic tank is a living organism—at least the bacteria living there are. With trillions of bacteria naturally present and working to decompose the solid waste in your tank, it is important to know how to take care of them without upsetting the system.

What Are The Bacteria Living In Your Tank?

Bacteria are separated into two categories: Aerobic and Anaerobic. Aerobic Bacteria are more efficient than their counterpart when it comes to breaking down and using waste as fuel. However, they need plenty of oxygen to survive and are highly sensitive to environmental changes. With little to no need for oxygen and more resilience to environmental changes, the climate of a septic tank suits Anaerobic Bacteria better.

How Do Bacteria Help Your Septic System?

With solid waste often settling on the bottom of your septic tanks, it is hard for the flow, pumps and filters to reach it once it is on the bottom. Enter bacteria! They work to break down solids by digesting the waste as their fuel and excreting is as liquids and gasses. In fact, they are so efficient that they can handle decomposing up to 50% of the waste in your septic tank.

Is Other Maintenance Required?

While 50% is a substantial amount and goes a long way to keeping your septic system in working order, the bacteria need a helping hand. As the undigested solids begin to build up, it can become suffocating and hard for the bacteria stay ahead. To keep the colonies of bacteria healthy it is suggested to have your tank inspected every 5 to 7 years and pumped when the solid waste level is over 25% of your tank.  When you get your tank inspected, your septic professional can recommend whether a pumping is needed. Keep in mind, a system does NOT need to be pumped in order to be inspected.

What Can Disrupt Septic Tank Bacteria?

Although not on purpose, there are a few common household chemicals and practices that can hurt bacteria colonies over time. This list includes:

• Household Chemicals

Liquid bleach, disinfectant cleaners, drain cleaners, non-degradable detergents, solvents (such as paint thinners), insecticides and some prescription drugs such as antibiotics or strong medications. While anaerobic bacteria are resilient and able to handle the occasional chemical, large quantities can kill the colonies over time.

• Antibacterial Cleaning Products

Marketed to kill bacteria, hand soaps and other antibacterial cleaners are designed to not only keep your hands, counter tops and household clean, they can also kill off the bacteria in your septic system. We aren’t suggesting stopping washing your hands, but keep this in mind when thinking about the longevity of your septic tank.

• Flushable Wipes

Flushable wipes don’t decompose, leaving layers and layers of unbroken down solids that bacteria have a hard time decomposing.

• Septic Additives

Like many things, the natural process doesn’t need your help. Even the EPA agrees, stating that septic additives “may actually hinder effective septic system operation by destroying useful bacteria that aid in the degradation of waste, resulting in disrupted treatment activity and the discharge of contaminants.” So we say, don’t waste your money! If you do want to lend your system a helping hand check out this blog post that separates fact from myth on how to bolster the health of your bacterial colonies.

The stakes are high to keep your septic system in top condition, and that means keeping the trillions of bacteria happy and healthy! Have questions? Give us a call today!

Busting Septic Myths - One Household At A Time

Welcome to the Internet! The place where messages spread instantly, regardless of their validity. But, this was happening long before the internet by simple word of mouth. With the wealth of information available circulating, it’s hard to distinguish the facts from myths. This is why we’ve decided to set the record straight on just a few common ideas about septic tanks and systems.

Starting With a New Septic Systems Requires Seeding

What’s seeding? Exactly what it sounds like—helping your system and bacteria grow with “seeds” or in this case organic material. And we have heard of everything under the sun: flushing a pound of yeast, manure, worms and more.

This is a myth! Your septic system does not need your help to get started. Just use the system. Your human waste contains enough “seeding” abilities to get it started. Where the truth does shine a light is keeping your system healthy, especially if you tend to use lots of antibacterial or bleach products. This brings us to our next myth.

Additives Keep Old Systems Running Great

You’ve probably heard the claim…. Have an older system or a system that’s running less than efficient?  Just add some additives!

But septic additives working miracles is a myth. Well-balanced septic tanks do not require any help. Many commercially marketed septic products contain corrosive pesticides that will do harm to the bacterial colonies in your system, or turn out to be overpriced yeast (yes, like the stuff used to make bread). If you are having trouble with your system, add some helpful bacteria by putting yogurt, activated yeast, or even some beer down the drain. This is most helpful if your household uses lots of antibacterial and bleach based products —which you shouldn’t, but that’s for another post. These helper bacteria will only help keep a system healthy, so if you’re still having trouble it’s time to bring in a professional for an inspection, pumping, or possible repair.

Pump Your Septic Tank every 5-7 years

An average family can fill a septic tank to operating level in less than a week without altering regular water level use. It’s not needed to pump the septic tank just because it may be full or a certain age. Just let your healthy system do its work. In fact, as long as your tank is sized appropriately to your household and property maintained, your system will be breaking down and processing waste for many years.

However, if a septic tank is full of “sludge” (soil, bones, food particles, etc), solids or is consistently full of liquid that does not drain—it’s time to have your system inspected, pumped or possibly repaired.  You should always have your system inspected prior to scheduling a pumping. A good inspector should not need the tank pumped in most cases and will let you know if your system is healthy or needs to be pumped. There are a few instances when you should avoid pumping your tank, but we’ll talk about these on a future blog post.

Once Installed, Septic Tanks Take Care of Themselves

It’s true! With their biological processes and gravity flows, septic systems and tanks do all the work with little help from you. Being buried makes them easily forgettable. While you may not need to take direct actions, your habits will affect the overall health of your septic system.

You’ll Only Need One Septic System

Septic systems do not last a lifetime. On average, systems last 25-30 years with proper care and maintenance.

If you want longevity from your system, knowing the proper maintenance is priority number one. But, sometimes the water is muddied by septic myths.

Understanding which are true and which are nothing but old tales can be confusing. Have questions about some tips you’ve heard? Call Magneson Tractor Service today—we have your answers. Have a troubling myth you want us to get to the bottom of? Send us a message or leave a comment, and we’ll be happy to separate the poo from the fact!