The Absolute Truth About Septic Tank Additives: They Don’t Work

Septic Tank Additives

Many property owners in the United States must use on-site wastewater treatment systems, or septic systems, to treat organic wastewater created on their property. Estimates are that somewhere between one-quarter to one-third of all wastewater is treated by property owners with septic systems.

Since these systems are buried, they are often not thought about. But when problems happen, homeowners recall this expensive asset. Therefore, it is only natural for these property owners to want to maintain their septic system and keep it working well for as long as possible. Unfortunately, they fall for the hype from television commercials for sellers of additives for septic systems who claim that their products will renew and keep septic systems working and extend the pumping frequency of the septic tank.

These assertions, however, are absolutely untrue! In fact, studies conducted by the Kansas State University and Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service found the opposite to be true. DeAnn Presley, K-State Research and Extension soil management specialist said:

This research has found no benefit in septic tank function to using any type of septic system additives. In fact, some additives potentially could be detrimental to the function or components of the septic system or to groundwater quality.”1

Presley further added:

One research study, for example, found that the use of a biological additive caused the solid sludge layer at the bottom of the septic tank to decompose too rapidly. This led to rapid gas production.”2

The county and city of Peoria, Illinois, alert consumers that the use of septic tank additives is not warranted.  They say:

…………..don’t use septic tank additives (these do not help and sometimes can be harmful to your system.)”3

You could spend days searching the Internet and never find a single scientific study that concludes that any septic tank additive works. The reason, despite manufacturers’ and sellers’ claims, is that there simply isn’t any research that proves the effectiveness of these additives. Most research has, in fact, suggested just the opposite; septic tank additives are harmful to septic tank systems.

Some scam artists urge that bacteria or enzymes be added to new or recently pumped septic tanks. They claim that bacteria are needed to help dissolve the waste. Wrong! Human waste supplies the septic tank with ample quantities of bacteria for the septic tank to break down waste efficiently.

Research by two universities, however, does prove that aeration of the water in a septic tank changes the bacterial environment from anaerobic to aerobic, allowing up to 40 times more active bacteria to consume and break down organic waste in the septic tank and the drainfield. Studies from Purdue University4 and Baylor University5 concluded that the addition of an aeration system to a septic tank improved the overall system operation and prevented early septic system failures.

So, don’t be taken in by scam artists who offer nothing but empty promises. Only controlled aeration of a septic tank can convert the system from an anaerobic to an aerobic environment. This conversion has shown to be a valuable tool in the treatment of wastewater by septic tank systems and reviving failed or failing septic systems.  Aero-Stream’s controlled aeration process will restore your septic system to its’ original condition Guaranteed!

1http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/news/story/septic_tank021709.aspx

2http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/news/story/septic_tank021709.aspx

3http://www.co.peoria.il.us/pcchd/sewage

4Purdue University

5Baylor University

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