What Shouldn't Go Into a Septic System?
A septic tank is a biological process in a concrete box. Most damage comes from putting things into it that biology cannot handle.
Two categories cause nearly all avoidable septic problems: solids that do not break down, and chemicals that kill the bacteria doing the work. Both are entirely within a household's control.
The other quiet culprit is volume. A system designed for a family of four does not become larger because six people moved in, and a running toilet can add hundreds of litres a day to a disposal field that has no spare capacity.
Never flush or drain
- Wet wipes, including those labelled flushable
- Sanitary products, nappies and cotton buds
- Paper towels and tissues
- Fats, oils and cooking grease
- Coffee grounds and heavy food scraps
- Paint, solvents, petrol and pesticides
- Unused medications
- Cat litter
Use sparingly
- Bleach and antibacterial cleaners
- Waste disposal units, which greatly increase solids load
- Water softener backwash where it discharges to the tank
- Long, back-to-back laundry sessions
Frequently asked questions
- Is normal cleaning going to ruin my tank?
- Occasional, ordinary use of household cleaners is generally tolerated. Continuous heavy disinfecting, or tipping concentrated product into the system, is the problem.
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