Growing families and added responsibilities can present new challenges for many homeowners. One area that may be overlooked among these challenges is the home septic system. As tanks and drain fields age, they can become less efficient and more prone to failure. More people can put more stress on this vital home system and may […]

Garbage disposals can put an added strain on home septic tank systems by adding significantly to the organic material that these small-scale waste treatment plants must process. Most plumbing and septic system experts recommend against installing a garbage disposal in conjunction with a tank and leach field system because the added organic material in the […]

Most homeowners with septic tanks and drain fields understand the basics of maintenance for these waste treatment systems. Minimizing the chemicals that reach the septic tank, performing routine pumping once every few years and inspecting mechanical elements on a regular basis can generally keep newer septic tanks performing at optimal levels. However, other activities can […]

The average cost of replacing a septic tank in the U.S. is just under $5,000. Drain field replacements can range anywhere from $5,000 at the low end to well over $20,000 for complex or difficult installations. For most homeowners, these expenses can be financially devastating and may simply be out of reach for those on […]

Most homeowners already know that the cost of replacing a septic system can amount to thousands of dollars even before inspections and fees are included in the total. However, one Oregon couple is facing equally steep fines for failing to maintain their home septic system properly and allowing it to overflow onto their Cottage Grove […]

Homeowners with sluggish or aging septic tank systems may take some cues from remediation efforts currently taking place in Greenwood Lake in New York. The growth of weeds in the lake prompted the Greenwood Lake commission to hire harvesters to cut back the excess vegetation. The submerged weeds, however, were not collected and were left […]

A malfunctioning septic system was responsible for the closure of a Malibu beach and could cost one Los Angeles County homeowner the right to their property. The beach, located at 19830 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, was closed from June 13-19, 2013, as county officials attempted to locate the source and severity of a sewage […]

Homeowners with damaged septic tanks or septic system problems due to recent floods may find financial help from an unexpected source. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, better known as FEMA, has announced that it will provide disaster assistance for homeowners who experienced damage or problems to their well or septic system during this spring’s […]

Septic tank risers are convenient, easy to install, and seal out groundwater infiltration

Recent floods have created overflows and other septic tank issues for many homeowners across the U.S. One elderly Dover, Tennessee, man even found himself facing misdemeanor charges for his attempts to remediate his flooded septic system with the help of a local contractor. E. D. Barnes, an 87-year-old homeowner and veteran of the Korean War, […]

Septic field problems may land one unlucky Minnesota man in jail. Jim Kimble recently received a criminal complaint from the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Department regarding the property Kimble owns on the north bank of Ballantyne Lake. According to the authorities in Blue Earth County, Kimble is subject to prosecution for improperly installing five septic […]

Understanding the various types of drain fields used in modern systems can help you to identify problems in these vital areas of your household septic system arrangement. Conventional drain fields are by far the most common category, but some homeowners may have one of the following types of drain field installations: Dry well systems Mound-type […]

Residents in Gloucester County, New Jersey, are discovering firsthand the high cost of septic system failure. Numerous homes built between 2000 and the present were constructed with chamber-type septic drain fields as an alternative to traditional pipe and gravel drain field systems. Although these chamber systems were approved by both the state of New Jersey […]

One Pennsylvania man is finding out the hard way that environmental regulations can create major expenses for homeowners. Wilson Huyett, a 77-year-old resident of rural Salisbury Township, has maintained an outhouse for personal waste management on his 140-acre farm for many years; the farm itself dates back at least two centuries and is located in […]

A combination of fertilizer runoff and failing septic tanks is responsible for an algal bloom in the St. John’s River in Jacksonville, Florida, according to one of the city councilmen of that city. With more than 60,000 septic tanks in operation in and around Jacksonville, even a small percentage of failing systems could have a […]

As environmental issues continue to take center stage in many public discussions, the issue of failing or underperforming septic systems is attracting considerable attention as well. Many state and local agencies are considering new regulatory requirements for annual inspections of these wastewater treatment solutions. Homeowners with septic tank systems that fail to pass these inspections […]

Increasingly intrusive regulations regarding the maintenance of septic systems have become a regular fixture in many areas of the U.S. These regulations are often accompanied by added charges to the homeowners for inspections, permits and operational upgrades. In some cases, full replacements or alternative methods of waste disposal may be required by local health departments […]

Purchasing a home is one of the most important investments for most consumers. Investing in a property that includes a septic tank system can be intimidating for some home buyers; however, these waste management systems can be valuable and green-friendly assets for many homeowners. Here are some tips for evaluating the septic system before purchasing […]

Installing a septic aeration system can increase the longevity of your current septic tank and drainfield by increasing the efficiency of the decomposition agents inside the system. In the typical septic tank environment, lack of oxygen causes the proliferation and dominance of anaerobic bacteria. These microorganisms digest nutrients found in organic materials, converting nitrogen into […]

State, county and local health and environment authorities have been taking a harder line on failing septic systems in recent years. Concerns about the environmental impact of these household wastewater management systems have led to added oversight and increased regulation for septic systems in many areas: Rules proposed by the Ohio Department of Health would […]