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SEPTIC SYSTEM INFORMATION SHEET <br /> WHAT IS IN MY BACK YARD AND HOW DOES IT WORK? <br /> Most houses built in Orono after 1960 where city sewer is not <br /> available have two septic tanks, one or more distribution boxes and <br /> a number of drainfield trenches . In the septic tanks, heavy sewage <br /> solids will settle to the bottom and be decomposed by anaerobic <br /> (oxygen-free) bacteria action. Floating solids such as grease, <br /> fat, and soap scum will be retained inside the tank by baffles at <br /> the inlet and outlet . This ensures that the effluent entering the <br /> drainfield is relatively free of solids, which tend to clog up clay <br /> soils . <br /> Many houses built after 1975 have mound drainfields . These <br /> systems function on the same principles as trench drainfields <br /> except that the trench bed is installed above the original ground <br /> to provide a separation from the seasonally high water table and <br /> allow the system to function adequately. <br /> TRENCH SYSTEM <br /> • <br /> • <br /> p p • a ,• J• tJ <br /> o � <br /> �� ,•. distribution box, I '� .a J r <br /> floating solids a <br /> sludge drainfields <br /> MOUND SYSTEM <br /> _ /" , � ,, _Imo' <br /> • <br /> "- ��yyww E limping chamber <br /> OMMalbna <br /> Lti7�ii�U(i�l <br /> HOW CAN I MAKE MY SEPTIC SYSTEM LAST LONGER? <br /> 1 . Do not use your toilet or kitchen sink as a garbage can. <br /> Undigested foods and cigarette butts will not decompose in the <br /> septic tanks (this includes the use of garbage disposals ! ) . <br /> 2 . Have your tanks pumped at least once every three years (once every <br /> two years is necessary with garbage disposals) . This will probably <br /> cost you $80 - $125 . If you do not specifically ask the pumping <br /> • contractor to open up your tanks, he will probably just put the <br /> • hose down the inspection riser and drain the liquid from the tanks . <br /> This 'method will not effectively remove the solids ! The tanks <br /> should be opened in order to. stir the contents while pumping to <br /> break up the sludge and scum layers. The baffles can also be <br /> cleaned, examined, and repaired (if necessary) at this time . <br />