SepticSmart Is the Way to Be!

Learn Ways to Maintain and Protect Your Septic System 

It’s that time of year again! SepticSmart Week, Sept. 14-18, 2026, raises awareness about septic and wastewater treatment systems in our communities. Proper system maintenance and care are essential to protecting property, health, and the environment. They also help the community prevent costly repairs, maintain home property values, and protect local water sources.  

More than 1 in 5 homes in the US have septic systems, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, yet many homeowners are unaware of basic maintenance procedures. A properly maintained septic system can last 25-30 years, while a neglected one can fail in as few as 10. To make the maintenance chores easier and the systems last longer, we’ve highlighted some of the EPA’s suggested practices that you can do at home. They include:  

• Think at the Sink
• Don’t Overload the Commode
• Pump Your Tank
• Don’t Strain Your Drain
• Shield Your Field—and Tank 

Think at the Sink! 

What goes down your drain directly impacts your septic system. Avoid pouring fats, oils, grease, and harsh chemicals down the drain. Those substances disrupt the bacteria that make your system work by degrading the microbial communities that break down household waste. Simple changes, like discarding bacon grease in the garbage instead of the sink, can significantly extend the life of a system and reduce the risk of groundwater contamination. 

Don’t Overload the Commode!  

Your toilet isn’t a trash can. Flushing wipes (even so-called “flushable” ones), paper towels, cotton balls, cotton swabs, medications, and other nonbiodegradable items can clog pipes, overwhelm your system, and lead to system backup or failure. Pharmaceuticals that pass through septic systems can eventually reach groundwater and surface water. Only flush human waste and toilet paper and dispose of pharmaceuticals at a drug take-back box at a pharmacy, hospital, or police station. 

Pump Your Tank! 

The EPA recommends having your septic tank pumped every 3–5 years. Regular pumping removes accumulated solids that, if left unchecked, can migrate to and damage your drainfield—a repair that can cost tens of thousands of dollars. For many homeowners, tank pumping is an “out of sight, out of mind” item. That deferred maintenance has real consequences for property value, local water quality, and community public health. 

Don’t Strain Your Drain! 

When too much water enters a septic system in a short period of time, the system cannot keep up. This could lead to incomplete treatment of household wastewater and potential system stress or failure. A few simple habits make a big difference:  

1. Spread laundry loads throughout the week instead of doing them all in one day,
2. Run the dishwasher during off-peak hours,
3. Fix leaky faucets and toilets promptly, and
4. Consider high-efficiency toilets, showerheads, and appliances.  

Using water efficiently protects your system. 

Shield Your Field—and Tank!

Your drainfield is a critical and fragile component of your septic system. Protect it by keeping trees and shrubs a safe distance away and never parking or driving over it.  

In addition, protect your septic tank—as well as pets and other small critters—from accidental entry by covering it with a secondary safety shield, like the Orenco Systems® Tank Shield® or the Infiltrator® Water Technologies Guardian™, along with a lid that’s securely fastened in place. 

For the estimated 60 million Americans served by septic systems, regular inspection is the single most important step in responsible ownership. EPA recommends inspection every three years and pumping every 3–5 years depending on household size.  

Proactive inspection and these maintenance tips help catch small problems before they become expensive failures—and protect the groundwater that communities depend on for drinking, recreation, and agriculture.