When it comes to your septic tank, there are a few things that you need to know in regards to maintaining an efficient septic tank system.

Like cars and phones, you rely on your septic tank every day. Do you have a plan for when it starts to malfunction?

Septic tanks require some very simple and basic preventative maintenance to keep them functioning efficiently for long periods of time. Your tank will eventually need the contents removed once it has reached full capacity and starts to perform inadequately, or fails to perform at all. This is quite normal.

Signs Your Septic Tank Is Getting Full

• When It Is Releasing an Odour for a Few Days in a Row
  
• When the Toilet Becomes Slow to Flush Away
  
• When the Toilet Blocks Up More Than Once in a Few Days
• When You Begin to Hear Gurgling Sounds From Other Household Drains, Including Your Toilet
  
• Once Peering Through the Inspection Opening on Your Tank, You May See a Hard Crust on the Surface or a Large Amount of Toilet Tissue or Solids on the Surface.
• If You Notice Pooling Water or Marshy Areas Around Your Septic Tank
• If Water Starts Rising to the Surface, You May Notice That the Grass Around Your Septic Tank Area S Particularly Green or Lush

Any combination of the above factors indicates that your septic tank may require pumping. Ideally, have your tank pumped out BEFORE it blocks up. This will be more cost effective in the long run and will prevent it from backing up through your drains and toilets inside your home.

How Often Should the Tank Be Cleaned Out?

From experience, based on a family of four with average use, a single purpose septic tank (systems that only accept waste from the toilet), will likely function well for approximately 5 years before requiring a pump out. However, multi-purpose tanks (which accept toilet as well as sink, bath, shower, trough and basin waste) should be pumped out every 3 to 4 years to ensure the system functions effectively.

Dos and Don'ts:

• Don't Flush Nappy Liners Down the Toilets
• Don't Flush Sanitary Products Down the Toilet
• Don't build over or lay concrete over the septic tank
• Avoid the Use of Harsh Chemicals in Your Household Drains
• Do Inspect Your Septic Tank Regularly for Leaks and Check if It Is Full Using the Inspection Opening on Your Tank
• Do Have Your Pump Out Lid Exposed, Clearing Any Dirt, Grass or Obstructions That May Be Over Your Lid, Ready for It to Be Lifted by Our Team When Requiring a Pump Out
• Do Have Your Septic Tank Pumped Out Before It Blocks Up

Where Is the Waste Taken?

Whitford Liquid Waste has specially designed vacuum tankers that collect the contents of the septic tank and transport it to the nearest sewage authority's disposal pond.

This process is strictly controlled by Local Shire Health Departments, Water Boards and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

Diagram of Septic Tank