A few simple proactive safety measures
If you have a septic system, chances are you don’t think much about it until there is a problem, but the Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD) cautions against waiting for something to go wrong and recommends taking a few simple proactive safety measures.
The first area that should be examined is the septic tank’s risers, which provide access to the inside of the tank. Most systems installed during or after 2001 have risers with lids at ground level to allow for easy access and maintenance. While some septic tanks are
equipped with a heavy concrete lid, others have a lightweight plastic lid that must be securely fastened to prevent unauthorized or accidental entry. It is also necessary for the lids to be properly secured to prevent rainwater from entering the tank, as this can overload the sewage disposal system. Lids that are cracked or broken should be replaced as well.
The Mid-Michigan District Health Department also recommends pumping your septic tank every two to five years, depending on how fast solids accumulate in the tank. Furthermore, every system installed during or after 2001 has an effluent filter at the outlet end of the septic tank, which will stop any solids from leaving the tank and prolong the life of the system. This filter should be carefully cleaned off with a hose during tank pumping or if you experience sluggish plumbing performance. When doing so, be sure that whoever is washing the filter avoids contacting the rinse water and that the rinse water enters back into the septic tank.
For more information, please contact one of our Environmental Health Specialists or visit your local branch office of the Mid-Michigan District Health Department:
Clinton County: 1307 E. Townsend Rd, St. Johns • 989-224-2195
Gratiot County: 151 Commerce Dr., Ithaca • 989-875-3681
Montcalm County: 615 N. State Street, Stanton • 989-831-5237