OCRM: Planning & Technical Assistance

Septic System Planning and Maintenance

Out of sight, out of mind is the attitude most people have when it comes to their septic system. The lack of routine maintenance can result in less-than-desirable circumstances, such as sewage backing up into your house, seeping into your yard, or polluting ground and surface waters. In fact, 10-30% of systems fail annually.

There are three important health reasons for maintaining your septic system:

The health of your pocket book. Poor maintenance results in failed systems requiring repairs at a minimum and sometimes system replacement. Repairs or replacement costs can be thousands of dollars, whereas a periodic inspection and pumping costs about $150 - $250.
The health of your family, community and the environment. Untreated sewage water contains disease-causing bacteria and viruses, and well as unhealthy amounts of nitrate and other chemicals. Failed septic systems can allow untreated sewage to seep into wells, groundwater, and surface water bodies, where people get their drinking water and recreate.
The health of the economy. Contamination of water bodies by failed septic systems pollutes water supplies, closes shellfish beds and recreational areas, and creates offensive odors. Quality of life, recreational opportunities, and tourism decline, and with them do the property values and economic vitality of the area.

Onsite Septic System Management
Tool Kit CD (launches in new window)

Tips for Homeowners:

Know the Details of Your System-Type, Location, Maintenance Record, etc.
Be Aware of Septic System Do's and Don'ts
Know the Warning Signs of Septic System Problems
Have a Licensed Professional Perform Routine Inspection and Maintenance of Your System
Request a "Not in My Septic System" magnet to remind you how to keep your septic system in good condition.

Septic System Do's and Don'ts

Do's:

Conserve water to reduce the amount of wastewater that must be treated and disposed of by your system. Doing laundry over several days will put less stress on your system.
Repair any leaking faucets or toilets. To detect toilet leaks, add several drops of food dye to the toilet tank and see if dye ends up in the bowl.
Divert down spouts and other surface water away from your drainfield. Excessive water keeps the soil from adequately cleansing the wastewater.
Have your septic tank inspected yearly and pumped regularly by a licensed septic tank contractor.

Don'ts:

Don't drive over your drainfield or compact the soil in any way.
Don't dig in your drainfield or build anything over it, and don't cover it with a hard surface such as concrete or asphalt.
Don't plant anything over or near the drainfield except grass. Roots from nearby trees an shrubs may clog and damage the drain lines.
Don't use your toilet as a trash can or poison your system and the groundwater by pouring harmful chemicals and cleansers down the drain. Harsh chemicals can kill the bacteria that help purify your wastewater.

Pumping your septic tank is probably the single most important thing you can do to protect your system. If the buildup of solids in the tanks becomes too high and solids move to the drainfield, this could clog and strain the system to the point where a new drainfield will be needed.

Funding Opportunities for Municipalities

Since state law does not require homeowners to do preventative maintenance, OCRM has several ongoing initiatives to encourage voluntary inspection and maintenance, several of which are part of the Coastal Nonpoint Program (CNP). Contact Lisa Hajjar (hajjarlm@dhec.sc.gov) for additional information about the projects.

Sewee to Santee Onsite Disposal System Evaluations
City of Folly Beach Septic System Inspection
Maintenance Database Development

Additional Information

For additional information on how septic systems work and how to properly plan a septic system, please visit the DHEC Environmental Health Onsite Wastewater page.