The Indiana
Department of Natural Resources is urging property owners in Porter, Lake,
and LaPorte counties to learn about proper septic system maintenance and why
it’s important during SepticSmart Week, Sept. 22-26.
SepticSmart Week is
a nationwide initiative, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, (EPA) to raise awareness about the need for proper care and
maintenance of septic systems.
An estimated 60,000
households in Indiana’s three Lake Michigan counties--67 of them within the
incorporated Town of Chesterton--depend on septic systems to treat
wastewater.
“Failure to
maintain a septic system can lead to backups and overflows,” the DNR said in
a statement released this week. “This can result in costly repairs, polluted
waterways, and risks to public health and the environment. Proper care and
maintenance is critical to septic system function and long-term
performance.”
The Northwest
Indiana Septic System Coordination Work Group--comprising federal, state,
and local governments and agencies, state and county health departments,
not-for-profit groups, and interested individuals--will provide homeowners
with information and assistance on the proper care for septic systems.
Some tips for
septic maintenance:
* Protect It and
Inspect It: Homeowners should have their system inspected every three
years by a licensed contractor, and have their tank pumped when necessary,
typically every three to five years. Many septic system failures occur
during the holiday season. Therefore, EPA encourages homeowners to get their
septic systems inspected and serviced now before inspectors’ schedules fill
up around the holidays.
* Think at the
Sink: Avoid pouring fats, grease, and solids down the drain. These
substances can clog a system’s pipes and drain field.
* Don’t Overload
the Commode: Only put things in the drain or toilet that belong there.
Coffee grounds, dental floss, diapers and wipes, feminine hygiene products,
cigarette butts, and cat litter can clog and damage septic systems.
* Don’t Strain
Your Drain: Be water efficient and spread out water use. Fix plumbing
leaks and install faucet aerators and water-efficient products. Spread out
laundry and dishwasher loads throughout the day. Too much water at once can
overload a system that hasn’t been pumped recently.
* Shield Your
Field: Remind guests not to park or drive on a system’s drain field,
which could damage buried pipes or disrupt underground flow.
SepticSmart week is
part of EPA’s year-round SepticSmart program. In addition to educating
property owners, the program is an on-line resource for industry
practitioners, local governments, and community organizations, providing
access to tools to educate clients and residents. For more information,
visit epa.gov/septicsmart
To receive EPA
SepticSmart Brochures for local distribution, contact Dorreen Carey, special
projects coordinator, Indiana DNR Lake Michigan Coastal Program, at dcarey@dnr.IN.gov
or (219) 921-0863.
For information
about local septic system regulations, contact the Porter County Health
Department, Environmental Health Division, (219) 465-3525, Opt. No. 5, or
porterco.org