hello Homeowners

Summer is almost here, and the sun is starting to shine! In this edition of the Septic Scoop, we have some tips and reminders to keep your septic system safe and your local parks healthy.

Did you know?

In the United States, more than 1 in 5 households have a septic system to treat their wastewater. In Snohomish County there are about 70,000 septic systems. That’s roughly 14,700,000 gallons (or 22 Olympic-sized swimming pools) of wastewater treated by septic systems every single day in our county!

Be septic safe this summer

Nice weather often means barbecues or other outdoor parties with guests who may not be familiar with septic systems. Follow the tips below to make sure that both people and your septic system stay safe this summer.

Make sure all septic lids are secure. Lids that aren’t secure are a safety hazard, as people, kids, and pets can fall into septic tanks. If a lid is loose, screw it down until it is tight. If a lid is damaged, have it replaced.
Remind kids that septic lids are not something to jump on or play around.
If your driveway runs out of space, don’t let guests park or drive over your drainfield.

Help keep our waters clean

During the summer, it's nice to cool off by swimming in the lakes, rivers, and shores of our beautiful county. However, you may have seen signs at parks warning you not to go in the water because of toxic algae which can be dangerous to your health. Algae blooms are mainly due to pollution sources such as fertilizer runoff or agricultural waste, but failing septic systems can also contribute to this problem. While not all algae blooms are toxic, some can be. Human waste contains a lot of nitrogen and phosphorus, and it’s high levels of nutrients like these that can cause algae blooms. Septic systems that function properly treat wastewater and remove these nutrients before they can reach another source of water. By maintaining your system, you can make sure that your waste doesn’t contribute to this pollution problem, and that everyone can still enjoy swimming at the lake on a hot summer day. Interested in learning more about toxic algae blooms? Check out the resources below:

Toxic Algae FAQs (from Snohomish County Surface Water Management)
Algae & Toxic Algae (from Snohomish County Surface Water Management)

Questions from the Community

“Can I use a riding lawn mower over my drainfield?”

Yes, it is okay to use a riding lawn mower over your drainfield. Just make sure that the riding mower is for residential use (not a large, industrial mower that might be too heavy). Go as long as possible between mowings to avoid compacting the soil more than necessary.

“How often should I have my tank pumped?”

Your tank should be pumped when the sludge and scum layers that build up in your tank over time get to a certain level, so it really depends on your system and how much you use it. A septic professional inspecting your system will be able to advise you when it’s time to pump your tank by measuring these levels. For some households, the tank may need to be pumped every two years while for other households it may be every seven years. It largely depends on how many people are in the house and how much excess waste goes into the system.

Visit us at events

The Savvy Septic program provides education and financial assistance to homeowners, and we’ll be tabling at some events this summer. We’ll be out in the community answering questions about septic systems, handing out sink strainers, and providing septic resources for homeowners. If you go to a community event, keep an eye out for us and come say hello! Below are a few events where you can find us.

Arlington Farmers Market | June 15th
Silvana Fair | July 27th
Warm Beach Summerfest | August 10th

Keep caring for your septic system, and enjoy the summer!

Questions?

Do you have questions about your septic system? You can visit our website for more information on septic systems and contact SHD-EHQ@snoco.org for any additional questions. For information on Savvy Septic financial assistance, visit savvyseptic.com or email savvy.septic@snoco.org. To find a septic professional, click here.

This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement PC-01J89801 to the Washington State Department of Health and under an assistance agreement to the Washington State Department of Ecology. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.