Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Page A-5
Septic tank maintenance is essential
By
Annette McGee Rasch
IVN Senior Contributing Writer
Septic tanks, death and taxes are real-
ties in life that folks try not to think about too
much. But ignoring one’s septic tank can lead
to frightful and costly situations, thus mainte-
nance of this critical home system is far less
painful. Professionals recommend pumping
out septic tanks every five to seven years.
“We’ve noticed that many people need
their tanks pumped out more often now,” said
Laura Perkins, co-owner of Outback Septic,
located in Cave Junction. “Though some still
wait over 20 years and end up with solids in
their leach fields. Then it’s a much bigger job
to put it right.”
The action inside a septic tank is alive,
much like your compost pile, except that
it’s anaerobic, meaning the process operates
without oxygen. Natural organisms break
down solids in septic tanks and the resulting
fluids drain away into the leach field. Perkins
explained that when people put things down
their toilets and drains that kill off the good
organisms inside the tank, the decomposition
process is damaged.
“What we eat and the products we
consume directly reflects our lifestyles,”
Perkins said. “A lot of people aren’t as healthy
anymore. Many eat too much processed food,
use antibacterial soaps, or take a lot of antibi-
otics, cancer drugs or other pharmaceuticals.
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due for a pump-out, it’s wise to get it done.”
“If you wait until you have an emer-
gency, we may not be able to help because the
city plant is closed on weekends and holi-
days,” Perkins said.
Perkins test’s the pH balance of the
septage, which must register between six and
eight for Cave Junction’s treatment plant to
accept it. If the septage requires additional
treatment because it’s contaminated from the
addition of too many substances toxic to the
biological process inside the tank, then dis-
posal can cost a lot more.
“In general, if you can smell an odor, it’s
time to get the system checked,” Perkins said.
“The tank could be full or a ventilation line
might not be functioning. The bottom line is if
people wait too long then they run the risk of
their leach fields becoming impacted and fail-
ing. That’s when it gets expensive.”
“Most leach field repairs start around
$3,000 and go to about $5,000, plus permitting
costs,” Perkins said. “Though some people
spend up to tens of thousands depending on
the kind of system they get and the water table
the leach line is in.”
The Perkins’ have owned Outback Septic
since 2005 and they pump tanks on Mondays
and Fridays. Normally, the total cost is around
$350, though if a lid needs to be dug up,
there’s an additional fee.
Contact Outback Septic at 541-592-6307.
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Bollweg said. “Honestly, the only things that
belong in a septic tank is fecal matter, urine
and water. People should even be careful with
toilet paper. Some use too much, or use that
fluffy paper with chemical additives. That can
also reduce the tank’s capacity over time.”
Many attempt to maintain or save a fail-
ing system by using septic tank products, but
Bollweg and Perkins point out how the DEQ
website states there is no product that will help
the situation. While some of these products
may dissolve fatty items inside the tank, it’s a
temporary fix, as these substances can reform
later on, often in the leach lines, causing dam-
aging blockages, they said.
Once leach fields have failed, ground-
water can be degraded and septage can burble
up and into the lawn where people, pets and
wildlife walk through, especially during the
rainy season.
Some may notice their shower gurgling
or find it harder to flush the toilet after heavy
rain. This could mean the ground in the leach
field is saturated and cannot absorb anymore
water, according to Outback Septic co-owner
Joel Perkins. Leach fields are like sponges,
and once full, septic tanks can also fill up with
fluids, he explained. Then, when people try to
flush, there’s little or no suction. However, if
the tank is overdue for a pump-out, this situa-
tion might indicate bigger problems.
“If the tank’s been pumped within five
years, we recommend people to take only
quick showers and don’t do laundry until the
ground is dryer,” Perkins said. “But if you’re
All these things can damage the biology inside
your septic tank. Your septage is your end
result.”
According to Mike Bollweg, Lead Treat-
ment Plant Operator for the City of Cave Junc-
tion, 50 percent of medications consumed are
not metabolized in the body and end up in the
toilet.
“A huge percentage of our population
is on medication,” Bollweg said. “This stuff
leaves our bodies and it’s changing the biol-
ogy of the world. It’s even affecting the fish in
the rivers.”
Other items that don’t belong in septic
systems include plastics, feminine hygiene
products, rubbers, solvents, gasoline or any
kind of chemical, and fats, solids and grease
from the kitchen.
“Fats and grease are lighter than water,”
Bollweg said. “Inside the tank, it floats on the
top and can plug pipes going to the tank, and,
if neglected long enough, the pipes leaving
the tank into the leach field become blocked.
People don’t realize that stuff they dump ends
up in their back yards. You’re going to live
with what you pour down your toilets and
drains. Everyone should stop and think for a
few seconds before they dispose of things.”
Bollweg also warns that kitty litter can
trash your septic tank and require very expen-
sive repairs.
“Remember there’s nothing to stop
manufacturers from saying products are bio-
degradable or bio-disposable, but that’s no
guarantee it’ll be safe in your septic tank,”
541-592-9230
156 Ollis Rd
Cave Junction
-Sandi Cassanelli
220 Watkins St. Cave Junction
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