News & Announcements

• Signs of Septic Tank Trouble
  
  
  
  Time to switch to sewer
  The End Is Near
  If your sinks, tubs and toilets are slow to drain after a rain or after you run your washing machine, you've got trouble. The most likely culprit is septic field lines that have become clogged, either by poor maintenance or poor design. Water usage has overloaded the system.
  
  Here's how it works. Every toilet flush adds solids to a septic tank. These solids are contained in the tank. Liquid effluent minus solids flow out of the tank, into the field lines and are absorbed into the ground. The liquid effluent is not treated sewage. The process relies on the earth to cleanse the contaminants before it goes into ground water.
  
  In order to do its job right, the tank must be pumped periodically. The frequency depends on how many people use it (one teenager counts as three people in water use). If it is not pumped from time to time, the tank fills up with solids. This limits septic tank capacity and allows tiny pieces of the solids to be stirred up and passed into the field lines. That's how they get clogged. Commercial septic tank additives can make the problem worse by reducing the size of solids, making them easier to stir up.
  
  The End is Nearer.
  Is the grass in your yard lush and green over your field lines? That's the next phase of trouble. That means that the bottoms and sides of the field line trenches have failed. Most likely, there is a gooey tar-like substance coating the trench, blocking absorption. Effluent is coming up instead of filtering down into the earth. If this is happening in your yard, you are living on borrowed time.
  
  The End is Here.
  If you have bubbling sewage in your yard, your system is experiencing complete failure. At this point the field lines are beyond hope. You can pump the septic tank all you want, but slow running drains and raw sewage in the yard will soon return. Keep children away. Seek remedy immediately. This situation is an extreme health hazard. Combined with rainwater runoff, harmful bacteria can flow into streams and rivers. The county health department will demand action from you at this time.
  
  If any of these things are happening to you, call BCSS and see if we offer public sanitary sewer service in your area. We put failing systems on the top of our 'to do' list. We can quickly install a system that works immediately. Switching to sewer not only solves a nasty problem, but improves the value of your home.
  
  There is nothing wrong with a septic system that works. It takes proper maintenance and diligence. However, septic systems have a finite lifespan. Components deteriorate. If your system is over 20 years old, you need to think about your options. Don't use the toilet as a trash can. Never, never, never pour grease or cooking oil, cat litter or tampons down the drain. A good rule of thumb is 'if you don't eat it, don't put it down the drain.'
  
  Call BCSS at 251/971-3022 and ask for Charlie for more information.