By Michelle Christensen

A home septic system is a crucial, yet often overlooked, part of a household’s infrastructure. It quietly handles the treatment and disposal of wastewater, keeping your home and our Ponds and surrounding environment safe. Regular maintenance of your septic system is not just a recommendation—it’s essential.

You may ask why:

1. Prevents Costly Repairs
   One of the main reasons to maintain your septic system is to avoid expensive repairs or full system replacements. A neglected system can fail, leading to backups, leaks, or complete breakdowns. Regular inspections and pumping every 3 to 5 years can help catch problems early and extend the life of the system. This means, that if you haven’t had your septic pumped since COVID, it is time now to get it scheduled. You can find a Town of Plymouth certified pumping vendor here:  https://plymouth-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1933/pumping_list-PDF
2. In addition, pouring household and home improvement chemicals down your drains, flushing garbage down toilets, excessive water use, and failure to provide proper maintenance aren’t the only culprits for septic system failure. Consider eliminating or limiting the use of garbage disposals. While convenient, frequent use of garbage disposals significantly increase the accumulation of sludge and scum in septic tanks, resulting in the need for more frequent pumping.

Your drainfield, as shown above in green, is the component of your septic system that removes contaminants from the liquid that emerges from your septic tank. It is an extremely important part of your septic system. To maintain your drainfield, you should:

• Never park or drive on your drainfield.
• Plant trees at the appropriate distance from your drainfield to keep roots from growing into your septic system.
• Keep roof drains, sump pumps, and other rainwater drainage systems away from your drainfield area, as excess water slows down or stops the wastewater treatment process.

3.     Protects Health and Environment
A malfunctioning septic system can contaminate groundwater, wells, and our ponds with harmful bacteria, especially phosphorus. This not only endangers the environment but also poses serious health risks to your family, community and our Pond.

4.     Maintains Property Value
A healthy septic system adds to the overall value and functionality of your property.

Maintaining your home septic system is a smart, cost-effective way to protect your home, and our Ponds and surrounding environment. Regular pumping, and proper waste disposal are simple habits that can prevent major problems and preserve your home for years to come.