If you’re concerned about the environment, you’re likely already familiar with the benefits of conserving water. However, you may not have heard it can also benefit septic systems. If your household relies on this waste management feature, use the following guide to practice better septic tank maintenance.

How Does Water Consumption Affect a Septic System?

Your septic system works by sorting your wastewater into three categories. After it moves through your drains and pipes, solid waste, or “sludge,” enters the tank and sinks to the bottom. Less dense solids such as oil, grease, and septic-safe toilet paper rise to the top as “scum.” The leftover middle layer is the clearest of the three, a liquid that exits the tank and moves to the drain field.

Waste sorting is a delicate process, and your tank needs to take its time separating and filtering out the different layers. If you produce too much wastewater, the tank will be overwhelmed with work, causing the layers to rise.

At a certain point, the sludge at the bottom will enter the clearer middle layer, allowing it to escape the tank and clog the drain field. Even if this doesn’t occur, excess water consumption will require you to schedule more frequent pumping.

How Can You Conserve Water?

To conserve water around the house, you’ll need to cut back on the amount of waste flowing down your drains. Limit your showers to five to 10 minutes, take more showers than baths, and shut off the water when you brush your teeth or scrub a dish.

You can also lessen the load on your septic system by spacing out your water usage so the tank has enough time to process the incoming waste. For example, instead of making one day of the week “laundry day” and doing multiple loads on one day, spread them out throughout the week, such as one on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

If you’re dealing with septic tank issues as a result of water overuse, turn to Bigfoot Pumping & Thawing of North Pole, AK, for help. They’ll inspect your septic tank for overflow and leaks as well as pump it when the solids start to pile up. They know the Alaskan climate can increase the frequency of septic tank maintenance, which is why they offer 24/7 emergency services. To learn more about their services, visit the website, or call (907) 488-9855 to make an appointment.