Prepare your septic for El Niño

• We recommend your septic maintenance provider conduct an inspection ahead of the rainy season.  If you do not know where your system is, now is a good time to find out and do some preventative maintenance.
• Route roof gutter and surface drainage away from the leach field.
• If due for pumping, pump septic tanks ahead of the wet weather to avoid potentially floating fiberglass or plastic tanks and/or collapsing tanks during periods of high groundwater. The septic tank pumper will clean your septic tank filter with the pumping service.
• Ensure tank lids are bolted and have gastight/watertight gaskets and septic tanks are retrofitted with sealed risers to prevent unnecessary groundwater intrusion into the system.

• Slow draining sinks, toilets and bathtubs during wet weather are typically signs of a septic system that is experiencing over saturation problems due to high groundwater or flooding.
• If there is a power outage and your septic system is gravity fed and not powered by pumps, reduce water use. Newer septic tanks may be able to withstand pumping and hauling during wet weather if constructed of concrete or if installed with anti-buoyancy protections.
• If there is a power outage and your septic system is powered by pumps, reduce inside water use to prevent sewage overflow. Consider one bath or shower every other day per person.  Don’t do laundry at home. Wash clothes at a laundromat if possible.
• Expect an alarm at the control panel when power is returned to service. Press the red alarm button on your control panel and wait 6-12 hours until your septic system has processed the extra waste stored from the power outage. If the alarm light remains on, then call your service provider for assistance. 

If you have any questions call your service provider or EHS. See our website for more info.