Septic systems work best when they are not overloaded with too much water. A few simple steps can help you ensure that water usage is appropriate for your home septic system. Being conservative with water usage can help extend the life of your septic system, especially the drain lines and the surrounding drain field.
Some tips for easy water conservation:
Make sure that you have no leaking faucets, toilets, shower / bath heads, or other plumbing fixtures. On a regular basis, check the float valve on your toilet to make sure that water isn’t constantly running. A little bit of water over the course of a day or week adds up. Make sure that no water is running when all fixtures are turned off.
Install a water meter to recognize usage patterns. Water meters are especially helpful if your home size grows (such as when additional adults come to visit long term).
Consider how much water you are using when you do laundry. Are the loads full? If not, can you change the setting to accommodate a smaller load? Low suds detergents tend to use less water in the rinse cycle. Front loading machines use less water than top loading ones. If you are reaching maximum capacity for your septic system, consider spacing the wash out over several days, instead of doing it all on one day.
Use water conserving shower heads, and limit the length of showers. Try to limit the length of time you let the water run to make it hot or cool enough.
Treating water like a valuable resource will help keep your septic system trouble-free for many years.
