This septic tank treatment boosts the beneficial bacteria population in the tank and introduces specific enzymes for breaking down fibers ( toilet paper), septic tank scum that gathers at the top of the wastewater fluid, and other solid waste that the naturally-occurring bacteria population may have difficulty decomposing. Biological Additivesīiological additives, like bacteria and extracellular enzymes, are the only acceptable septic tank treatment for promoting a healthy, natural bacterial ecosystem, maintaining an effective drain field, and protecting the health of the local groundwater. Because of this hazard, organic solvents are banned from use in some states, and their use could potentially create liability issues if groundwater is contaminated. Instead, organic solvents leak into the groundwater system and can cause significant ecological damage. Once these organic solvents leave the septic tank they seep into the drain field along with the rest of the wastewater effluent, but they do not break down. As a septic tank treatment option, they work well to break down the collected oils, fats, and greases in the bottom of the tank, but they can do their job too well by also breaking down much of the bacterial ecosystem. Organic solvents, including methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, and other chlorinated hydrocarbons, are primarily used as degreasers for their ability to break down oils and grease. However, recent findings have indicated that while hydrogen peroxide doesn’t cause undue harm to the beneficial bacterial ecosystem within the tank when properly diluted, it does degrade soil content and compromises the long-term viability of the drain field.ĭue to this method’s lasting effects on your drain field’s ability to filter and absorb wastewater, it is not a good option for the long-term care of your septic tank system. Hydrogen peroxide was once a popular suggestion for septic tank treatment by many different septic maintenance companies. The corrosive nature of these treatments also makes them harmful to pipes, tank walls, and distribution boxes, leading to premature weakening of the septic system. This could result in unpleasant odors, leakage into local groundwater, and clogged pipes. If that digestion process inside the tank is impeded, raw sewage leaks into the drain field. These powerful compounds, such as sulfuric acid or lye, are capable of punching a hole through almost any clog, but their harsh chemical makeup destroys the necessary, natural bacteria in the tank, halting the anaerobic digestion process. Inorganic acids or alkalis are poor options for the health of your septic tank. Because of these potential hazards, it is important to understand the differences between the treatment types. However, some of these treatment types have been shown to be damaging to septic systems and may even be banned by your local government due to the potential pollution of nearby groundwater or degradation of soil content. There are several types of septic tank treatments, including inorganic acids or alkalis, hydrogen peroxide, organic solvents, and biological additives. Foam or solid drain cleaners should be avoided because they can cause serious problems for your septic tank.Photo: Types of Septic Tank Treatments However, for stubborn blockages, a liquid drain cleaner is safe on the odd occasion but should not be used regularly. If your septic tank has a blocked pipe, it’s best to try to unblock it using boiling water and without chemicals first. However, it’s best to avoid extra strong bleach.ĭrain blockage remover suitable for septic tanks As a rule, standard household bleach should be fine for use with a septic tank as it is diluted and not strong enough to kill your tank’s bacteria. The safest liquid laundry detergents to choose are eco-friendly brands like Ecover, Bio D, Ecozone, and those marked as septic-safe.īleach is used to kill bacteria, so it’s important to take care when using bleach in your septic tank. Sometimes, additives in washing powder don’t break down properly and, over time, they can clog your system. It’s always safest to choose a liquid laundry detergent over a powdered one. ![]() Here’s a quick guide to the best cleaning products to use with a septic tank. It is labelled as environmentally-friendly.The product is labelled as ‘septic-safe’.Some key indicators that a cleaning product should be safe to use with your septic tank include: While your septic tank can handle low levels of some chemicals, it’s important to take care with what you’re putting inside and only use cleaning products that contain chemicals occasionally.
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