How to Protect Your Septic System & Conserve Water

Did you know that almost 98% of the earth’s water is saltwater? Amazing, right? Saltwater is not potable or usable for most human and animal functions, such as drinking, bathing, etc. Therefore it’s essential that we conserve water, keeping the freshwater we have fresh for ourselves, our plants, animals and our environment, as well as future generations. Conserving water doesn’t just mean “saving” water, but also using water wisely – don’t use more water than necessary and be a good steward of the water we have access to.

Clean water is a limited resource, and conserving it for future generations is good for us, good for the planet, and – bonus! – good for our septic systems. Did you know that conserving water can reduce problems and increase the effectiveness and lifespan of your family’s septic system?

Too much water can overload your septic tank and cause it to require more frequent pumping, or it can overwhelm your septic drain field and cause flooding, backups and equipment breakdowns. While freshwater is essential to your life, there are some easy and relatively painless ways to cut down on your water use and conserve water for your environmental and septic system health.

Here are our water-saving suggestions:

Invest in a water-saving toilet, which can reduce water usage by as much as 60%! This is a huge savings for your family and your septic system. While older toilets required several gallons just to move solids through the pipes, newer toilets have better technology and can do the same job with much less water (sometimes less than 2 gallons per flush!)

• Space out your water use. Avoid running water-using appliances overnight and try to stagger baths, shower, and other major water uses throughout the day. This gives your septic system a break and also cuts down on water use.
• Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes, to avoid overloading your septic system. Also, it might be worth looking into the viability of newer, high-efficiency dishwashers and washing machines for your family’s needs.

Lower your water consumption and your energy bill by using low-flow showerheads. Just this simple change can save almost 3,000 gallons of water per year for most families, and it will also reduce your water-heating cost significantly.

Turn off the faucet while shaving, brushing teeth, scrubbing pots or other non-essential water-using activities. Not only does this significantly help with conservation, but it also gives your pipes and septic field a break during the day.

Avoid over-running the shower or bath tap. While it’s understandable to wait for hot water, try not to walk away from the bath or shower while it’s running to avoid too much water waste. If you want more tips on water conservation or prolonging the health of your septic system, please feel free to check back on the blog or give us a call anytime. At Shankster Bros., we are your local septic experts and we’re happy to help.