Clean water is vital to your health, comfort, and convenience, but it’s also easy to take for granted. Unfortunately, your everyday habits may threaten your home’s water quality. In particular, septic tank maintenance is vital to clean water, and without it, you may encounter serious health problems.

How Septic Tanks Filter Water

Your septic system helps process all the wastewater from every toilet and drain in your home. The tank itself helps filter the water, letting solids settle to the bottom and straining out fats and grease. The water itself then flows through pipes into your drainfield, which filters it further, returning clean water to the environment.

How Problems Arise

Unfortunately, septic systems are vulnerable to serious problems if not cared for properly. For example, without regular pumping, the solid waste that accumulates in your tank will overflow. Excess waste clogs the drainfield, flows into the area around the tank, and can even come back up your drains. Similarly, if your drainfield is oversaturated or compressed, it can’t properly filter your water. In either case, untreated waste will contaminate nearby water sources, including ponds, lakes, streams, and groundwater.

How You Can Prevent Contamination

To make sure your septic system doesn’t contribute to local water pollution, schedule regular septic tank maintenance and pumping. You should also look out for any signs that your wastewater isn’t being filtered correctly. This includes unusual plant growth over your septic tank and drainfield, standing water, and unpleasant odors.

For over 25 years, Bigfoot Pumping & Thawing has served North Pole, AK, with pumping, drain cleaning, and septic tank maintenance. Their experienced professionals are available 24/7 to help with any plumbing emergency. To schedule service, call them today at (907) 488-9855 or visit the company online.