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Building Division

Sewage System

Operation and Maintenance
Septic Friendly Use Habits - Inside the house
  • Keep water use reasonable
  • Wash only full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher
  • Garbage grinders on kitchen sinks are not recommended as they add unnecessary solids, bones, and grease to the septic tank.
  • Minimize the disposal of fat, oil and grease down drains.
  • Do not use toilet bluing disinfectant agents in toilets. Excessive disinfectant and bleach use will kill septic tank bacteria necessary for breakdown of sewage
  • Backwash from water treatment systems (such as softeners), outdoor hot tubs or swimming pools must not discharge to the septic system
  • Repair leaky plumbing or running toilets
  • Consider water-saving plumbing fixtures such as:
    • Low-flow toilets
    • Shower restrictor heads
    • Water saving washing machines
Septic Tank Maintenance

Know where your septic tank is and do not build decks, patios etc. over the tank which will restrict access to the two lids for required maintenance. If you are unsure as to your septic tank location, please contact the Building Division to see if a septic plan is on file for your property.

Have a licensed hauler pump out the septic tank from both compartments every five (5) years for typical family use on a regulation sized tank.

Do not delay regular maintenance of tank. Once a back-up occurs, solids or grease may be released and clog the leaching bed.

Septic tank additives are not required if non-sewage chemicals, disinfectants and grease are minimized.

Protecting the Leaching Bed

Do Not:

  • Build structures over the leaching bed (including swimming pools)
  • Cover with impervious surfaces or landscaping
  • Change the grade to a point that affects the depth of the system and/or allows surface water to pond on the bed area
  • Drive over bed area, as this will compact the soil and affect the breathing of the system

Do:

  • To prevent freezing, keep snowmobiles off the bed and do not build ice rinks on top of the bed
  • Plant trees away from the bed to minimize intrusion from roots into the stone and perforated pipe in the disposal trenches. Direct sunlight on the bed area also helps evaporation
Additional Resources