HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptic Systems Fact Sheet
SEPTIC SYTEMS
While it may not be a
pretty topic, “down the
drain” waste
management is an
important issue for East Enders. It can be
easy to forget that waste doesn’t just
disappear down the drain – it ends up in
our backyards, groundwater, and local
surface waters.
With this in mind, we must be careful about
what we put down our drains and also
protect the ecological systems that filter this
waste.
Most homes on the East End deal with
“down the drain” waste, either through on-
site cesspools, septic tanks, or connection to
community sewer systems.
For septic system owners, when water goes
down the drain it flows through a series of
pipes into a septic tank usually buried in
the yard. This tank holds wastewater and
allows some wastes to either sink down or
float up, while the relatively clear water in
the middle is slowly piped out into a
leaching ring system (see figure).
However, this relatively clear water still
contains nutrients (which can be harmful to
the bays) and can contain chemicals you use
in your home (which can also be harmful to
the natural environment).
Septic systems need maintenance to ensure
that this process continues smoothly. Tanks
need to be pumped out so that the solids
and scum can be removed from the bottom
and top of the tanks. Also, at times older
tanks may need to be replaced, upgraded,
or moved to a more appropriate location
(this often means being moved further
away from surface waters). If this
maintenance is not kept up, major problems
such as septic tank leaks, overflow, or
failure may occur. When this happens, not
only is there often an expensive mess for
homeowners to clean up, but there is also a
strong possibility that pollutants and excess
nutrients are reaching our local surface
waters and contributing to nutrient loading,
which causes unhealthy conditions such as
algal blooms, and fish die offs.
Where does your waste go?
Managing what goes down your drain and into the environment...
If you are one of the ma
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.
Image courtesy of Emil Norsic & Son
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Protect Local Ground and Surface Waters
Local Rebates and
Assistance Programs:
Southold Town currently
has no septic tank pump-
out or replacement rebates.
Please contact your town
supervisor and elected
officials to request that they
consider septic tank pump-
out rebates, inspection
programs, and replacement
rebates for failing systems,
or a revolving loan program
to support homeowners’
efforts.
For Service on Your
Septic System:
Look in the yellow pages
under “septic tanks and
system cleaning” or call your
local chamber of commerce to
find a reputable service
provider in your area.
Links:
Peconic Estuary Program
www.peconicestuary.org
Peconic Baykeeper
www.peconicbaykeeper.org
This information was
brought to you by:
P.O. Box 1792
Southold, NY 11971
(631)765-6450
www.eastendenvironment.org
•How do you know if/when your septic
system needs to be pumped out or replaced?
Get your septic system inspected right now
(especially if it has been awhile since you last
did this) and create a maintenance calendar
for future pump-outs and inspections!
•On average, septic tanks need to be pumped
out every 3 - 5 years, however this varies a bit
with the size of the tank and number of
people relying on it. Consult a professional to
determine your needs.
•If your system needs to be replaced, try to do
it right away if you can. The resulting mess of
a septic failure can be much more costly to
both the bays and your pocket.
•Conserve water and stop any faucets that are
leaking or toilets that are running. When
excess water runs down the drain, it can
overload your septic system.
•Make sure your septic system is as far from
the water as possible.
•Eliminate or at least reduce the chemicals that
go down the drains in your home. Natural
alternatives can be just as effective and are
less harmful to the environment as they make
their way through your septic system and out
to our local bays. Also make sure grease does
not go down drains as it can clog up septic
systems.
•Eliminate garbage from your drains. Flushing
solid materials clogs up the septic system and
can lead to problems -- this also means
avoiding use of garbage disposals.