Can you have too much good bacteria in your septic tank?

Septic tanks have been around for a long time. They provide an excellent way to dispose of wastewater. However, if the bacteria levels in your septic tank are not sufficient, then you will experience problems with your septic system. Fortunately, there are some easy ways that you can increase the bacterial levels in your septic tank so that it works better!

How Important Is Septic Tank Bacteria

Bad bacteria might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of “bacteria,” but there are also good ones! There's one type in particular called "anaerobic" and it helps keep a septic system running smoothly.

The anaerobic bacteria in the septic tank breaks down any waste that isn't flushed directly into a treatment plant and makes it easier to treat downstream. When there are too few or no bacteria, solids can stick together and form clumps of sludge (called "slime") which sticks to pipes and gradually blocks them up.

There are two main types of bacteria that can contaminate your septic system:

The first type is aerobic, and the second type is anaerobic. Aerobic organisms require oxygen in order to survive; they need a continuous supply of air from outside sources for these purposes. Anaerobes don't do well with too much exposure to light or fresh air (like when you flush).

The bacteria in your septic tank are actually the main reason sewage systems work, and it's important to maintain them. If there is too much sludge buildup or if something blocks their way out of the system (like hair), then your pipes will clog up over time. This can cause problems because you'll have a backup every time.

What Can You Do To Increase The Good Bacteria In Your Septic Tank?

There are some things that you can do (and avoid doing) and there are also some types of products that you can use to help increase the amount of good bacteria in your septic system.

What To Do

• Flush 1/2 cup of dry baking yeast down your toilet every 3 months. This will promote the growth of good bacteria.
• Another natural solution is to put 3 to 4 tomatoes that are past their prime (rotten tomatoes) into your garbage disposal every 3 months.
• Keep up with proper maintenance of your septic tank. Read more about that here.

What To Avoid

• Do not use bleach in your toilet or drains or anywhere that will put that bleach into your septic tank. Bleach destroys bacterias in your septic system.
• Never put non-flushable items (like tampons) down your toilet.
• Avoid putting these in your garbage disposal: fats, grease, cooking oils, meat of any kind (raw or cooked)

Types Of Products To Use

Septic tank additives are being used to add bacteria to the septic system but not all plumbers agree that this is a good solution. Speak to your plumber about what he/she recommends for your system.

By keeping your septic system bacteria levels high, you will help your septic tank dispose of the sewage in a timely manner.

If you have any questions about your septic system or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Septic systems are designed with a specific capacity based on the amount of water usage in a household. Exceeding this capacity can drastically diminish the system's ability to treat wastewater, which can result in contamination of water sources. Regulating indoor and outdoor water usage can prevent overloading and will extend the life of your septic tank.

Read on to learn more about septic tank overload and simple ideas to conserve water while protecting your septic system.

SEPTIC TANK OVERLOAD

Septic tanks come in different sizes based on user needs. When working properly, a septic tank should enable solid waste to settle at the bottom of the tank and bacteria to break down organic waste to generate nutrients.

Overloading occurs when wastewater flows into the septic tank faster than the tank's holding capacity.

An overloaded septic system does not allow solids to adequately settle and limits necessary bacterial activity. This increases the risk of solids moving into and clogging the drain field, which can reduce the septic tank's efficiency or lead to a complete breakdown of the system.

A high flow rate of wastewater can also minimize the bacterial quantity in the tank, resulting in inadequate wastewater treatment.

INDOOR WATER CONSERVATION

To prevent septic tank overload and the consequences that come with it, homeowners should adopt good practices for minimizing water wastage. Here are a few ideas you can start with.

Adjust Your Laundry Routine

Washers consume a lot of water, so you should make a few changes to how you clean your clothes to avoid excessive water wastage. If you are in the market for a new washer, opt for a front-loading machine, which is more energy and water efficient than the top-loading type.

Also, load the washer to full capacity to maximize water usage. But try to clean clothes more regularly, preferably throughout the week. Accumulating clothes to clean all at once, with multiple loads in one day, can push too much wastewater into the septic tank and cause an overload.

Minimize Shower Water Waste

The average person spends about 8 minutes in the shower, which uses over 16 gallons of water. To conserve more water, consider taking fewer and shorter showers and turning off the water while you are lathering.

If yours is an older home, look into replacing the showerheads with water-efficient ones with a flow rate of no more than 2.0 gallons per minute (gpm).

Flush Down Less Water

Toilets are among the biggest water guzzlers in the home. To minimize waste, try using the toilet several times before flushing. Dispose of tissue and other items in a bin to reduce the need for constant flushing.

If you have older toilets that tend to consume a lot of water, invest in new, water-efficient ones to realize a significant reduction in water use. You should also fix leaking toilets immediately. Toilet leaks are a major source of water wastage in the household.

OUTDOOR WATER CONSERVATION

In addition to adjusting your indoor activities, you can take several steps to minimize water wastage outdoors.

Practice Smart Lawn Care

Consider using drip irrigation for your landscaping needs. Drip irrigation systems deliver water slowly to the roots, thereby minimizing the amount of water use.

Be sure to inspect your irrigation system for wasteful leaks and develop a watering schedule that aligns with your irrigation needs.

Adjust Garden Hose Flow Rate

Install a micro-spray or shut-off piston at the end of your garden hose to reduce the gallon per minute flow rate.

Water When Necessary

Reduce the frequency with which you water your lawn and garden and consider watering early in the morning or later in the evening when the rate of evaporation is lower.

Periodic maintenance and inspection can help detect hydraulic overload in a septic tank. Once you have your septic tank repaired or pumped, be sure to conserve water to extend the tank's lifespan.

At

, we can help you keep your septic system in good shape all year long. Get in touch with us today to find out more about our services.

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