Season's greetings septic system owners

How time flies, 2026 is just around the corner! Set yourself up for a year of septic success with the tips and reminders below:

Did you know?

We’ve made all past editions of the Septic Scoop newsletter available online. If you missed an edition, no need to dig through your email. You can find them all on our Septic Maintenance & Repair webpage.

Holiday gatherings

Avoid a septic surprise this holiday season! There are several ways to encourage guests to participate in septic system care. This will help you steer clear of inconvenient sewage back-ups and clogs.

Space out water use: More people means more showers, more laundry, and more dishes. Do your best to space out these activities to avoid overloading your system.

Parking: Place barriers such as traffic cones around your drainfield and remind guests not to park or drive over it.

Bathrooms & Sinks: Post signage to remind guests of proper practices when nature calls or the dishes stack tall. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Septic Smart program has example placards for bathrooms and kitchens. You can also get creative and make your own, or there are many options and ideas online to find one that suits your style.

Questions from the community

"Will fabric softeners, bath oils, or Epsom salt Harm my septic system?"

Fabric softeners and bath oils are not recommended. Both contain oil or oil-like substances that lead to clogs and add to the scum layer of your tank.

Epsom salt on the other hand, is okay in moderation. A bath or foot soak once in a while will have minimal impact on the function of your tank. Only at extremely high concentrations (in the realm of 77 cups of Epsom salt per gallon!) would it negatively affect bacteria in your tank.

Septic Systems & Vacations

Do you have an extended vacation planned? If you don’t have a house sitter, your septic system won’t be getting used while you are away. This means the beneficial bacteria in the tank can begin to die off without their “food source”. For vacations lasting longer than a couple weeks, follow the tips below to prevent issues upon your return:

Make sure you are up to date on inspection and pumping before leaving
When you return, slowly build up your water use. This will give the bacteria time to build back up to normal levels.
If the weather has been below freezing, be aware that some components may be susceptible to freezing with lack of water flow. Get an inspection upon return if you notice any signs of problems.

These tips can also apply to vacation homes and rental properties, depending on the length of the stay or turnover between tenants.

Questions?

Do you have questions about your septic system? You can visit our website for more information on septic systems or contact SHD-EHQ@snoco.org for any additional questions.

For information on Savvy Septic financial assistance, visit savvyseptic.org 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.