Can I Flush Household Chemicals into a Septic Tank? - Septic Tank Maintenance Advice InspectAPedia® -
What common household cleaners or chemicals are OK to flush into the septic tank?
What household cleaners or other common household liquids should NOT be flushed into the septic tank?
What do bleach, epsom salts, liquor, whiskey, wine do to the septic tank and drainfield?
Questions & Answers about the effects of household chemicals, soaps, etc. on the function of a septic tank and drainfield
What typical household chemicals and substances are safe to flush down the toilet and into a private septic system? Is it ok to flush common household chemicals & household cleaners cleaners into the septic tank? Which household chemicals may damage the septic tank or leach fields and at what levels of usage are they harmful?
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to the author. Technical review, content suggestions, critique are welcomed and are listed at "References."
This article is part of our series: Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems.
HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS - Effects of Household Chemicals Flushed Into a Septic System
Household Chemicals Commonly Put Into Septic System or Down Building Drains
Ammonia - in normal dilute quantities such as from mopping a kitchen floor, should not be a concern. Don't dump bottles of un-wanted ammonia or any other chemicals into the building drains or septic system.
Bleach - in normal quantities, modest household usage is so dilute in the septic tank as to not be much of a concern; but if you're doing a lot of
wash using lots of bleach, consider using an oxygen bleach product (sodium percarbonate) as an alternative.
Bleach at large quantities such in an attempt to subvert a well test or septic dye test, can
damage the septic system and should not be poured into it.
Drain Cleaners & Septic Treatment Chemicals , such as used to unclog building drains, of all types, caustic or organic, should be ok provided that you follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Regular, daily, weekly, or monthly use of drain openers, drain cleaners should not be needed in residential septic systems and some products that are caustics may be harmful to the system and to the environment when used often or in larger-than-recommended quantities.
Septic treatment chemicals are generally not needed, sometimes contaminate the environment, and are illegal in many jurisdictions in the U.S. and all of Canada. See SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS.
See BLOCKED DRAIN REPAIR METHODS for a detailed step by step guide to un-blocking clogged drains. Articles at that page also assist in diagnosing the location and cause of drain blockages. Also see CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR.
Thanks to David Peterson for suggesting clarification on drain cleaners and septic systems.
Epsom salts, such as used to bathe feet, at normal use should also be OK.
Household detergents & household cleaners at normal levels: Small and normal quantities of household cleaner such as water used to mop a floor or clean a counter,
are unlikely to damage a septic system by their volume, concentration in the septic tank, nor by their chemical content.
Normal levels of household cleaning,
detergents, fabric softeners, shampoos, and bath soap, at normal levels of household use are sufficiently dilute
when they reach the septic tank that they should not be a problem for a conventional septic tank and drainfield system.
However clothes washing machine and dishwashing machine detergents commonly contain phosphates and surfactants which are environmental contaminants. See Dishwasher & Laundry Detergents Containing Phosphates & Surfactants for a discussion of the effects of phosphates & detergents on the environment.
Liquor or Whiskey: how to get rid of un-wanted whiskey or liquor: pouring a small amount, say a bottle or two of unwanted liquor down the drain and on into the septic tank is not likely to be harmful. Frequent pouring of liquor into a septic system or pouring large amounts, say a case at a time, is probably a bad idea. It'd be better to give the liquor away. Look into a charitable gifts foundation if your whiskey bottles are in good shape.
Photo chemicals: But if a building is hosting non-residential activities such
as a photo lab or other activity that sends a concentrated dose of chemicals into the system it's likely to be a problem either
for the septic system or for the environment.
While liquids are not going to clog a pipe, they can, especially if in high concentration, damage the
bacterial action in the septic tank or in the leach fields where the biomat is needed to process pathogens and thus to make
the effluent safe to discharge into the environment.
Even a chemical which does not directly damage the biomat may
be nonetheless neither filtered nor neutralized by the septic system process. So if you're dumping large amounts of photo chemicals
or cleaners down your drains you may be discharging these into the environment, and contaminating it.
Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs) about the effects of household chemicals, soaps, etc. on the function of a septic tank and drainfield
Question: Will antibacterial soap interfere with a septic system?
I've done a search on your informative site but I was unable to ascertain as to whether or not antibacterial soaps should be used at a home with a septic system.
Will the antibacterial quality of the soap interfere with the needed bacteria in the system?
-- V.W.
Reply: At normal usage levels antibacterial soap won't hurt the septic tank
A short answer is "no" - not in the amounts that would normally be used in a household.
At normal household usage levels such as washing hands or washing dishes, anitbacterial soap will be sufficiently dilute in the septic tank as to do no harm.
We use the same reasoning as used for normal usage of household cleaners and laundry bleach discussed in the article above. - Ed.
Questions & Answers regarding this article
Questions & Answers about the effects of household chemicals, soaps, etc. on the function of a septic tank and drainfield
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Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and
Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by
Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
...
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389
(2006), Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies.
Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going
for homeowners but is a text we recommend for professionals--DF.
Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
Design Manuals for Septic Systems
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manua [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems,
Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
"International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
"Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.
Onsite Wastewater Disposal Books
Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins;
Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association,
describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology.
Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in
both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference for both property owners and septic system designers.
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF.
Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
Test Pit Preparation for Onsite Sewage Evaluations, State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland OR, 800 452-4011. PDF document. We recommend this excellent document that offers detail about soil perc tests, deep hole tests, safety, and septic design. Readers should also see Soil Percolation Tests and for testing an existing septic system, also see Dye Tests
Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, Bombeck, Erma: $ 5.99; FAWCETT; MM;
This septic system classic whose title helps avoid intimidating readers new to septic systems, is available new or used at very low prices.
It's more entertainment than a serious "how to" book on septic systems design, maintenance, or repair. Not recommended -- DF.
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill. Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers: * Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.
Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
Submissions welcome. send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links
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