Sanitation · Live with and maintain the system · sanitation-20

Protect the system every day

Most septic failures come from what goes down the drain and how much water is used. A few household rules prevent most problems.

How

Only flush human waste and toilet paper. No wipes, sanitary products, nappies, cat litter, paper towels, medicines or chemicals.
Keep cooking fat, oil and grease out of all drains. Wipe pans with paper and put it in the bin or compost.
Avoid garbage disposal units. US EPA and Oregon State Extension say they add solids and grease and shorten pumping intervals.
Keep solvents, poisons and harsh cleaners out of drains: they kill the bacteria that treat the waste. Septic additives are not needed (Oregon State Extension) and chemical additives may harm the system (US EPA).
Spread laundry through the week and fix leaks quickly, as sending too much water at once (hydraulic overload) is a major cause of failure.
Do not drive or park on the drainfield, and plant only grass or shallow-rooted plants over it.
In cold climates (NDSU Extension advice): keep vehicles and snowmobiles off the system, do not clear snow from it, since over 12 inches (30 cm) of snow gives good frost protection, fix dripping taps and running toilets, and lay at least 1 ft (30 cm) of straw or leaves over the tank and pipe exit, 5 ft (1.5 m) wider than the tank, if the house will stand empty in winter.

How to Care for Your Septic System. US Environmental Protection Agency, accessed 2026-11
Decentralized Systems Technology Fact Sheet: Septic Tank Soil Absorption Systems (EPA 932-F-99-075). US Environmental Protection Agency, accessed 2026-11
Septic Tank Maintenance (EC 1343). Oregon State University Extension Service, accessed 2026-11
Precautions can prevent frozen septic systems. North Dakota State University Extension, accessed 2026-11