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SEPTIC SYSTEII INFORNIATION SHEET WHAT IS IN MY BACKYARD AND HOW DOES IT WORK? Most houses built in Orono after 1960 where city sewer is not available utilize two septic tanits,one or more distribution boxes and a number of drainfield trenches. In the septic tanks,heavy sewa�e solids will settle to the bottom and be decomposed by anaerobic (oxygen-free) bacteria action. Floatin� solids such as grease, fat and soap scum will be retained inside the tank by baf�les at the inlet and outlet. This ensures that the ef�luent enterin� the drainfield is relatively free of solids, which tend to clo? or plu�up clay soils. Numerous houses built after 1975 utilize mound drainfields. These systems function on the same principles as trench drainfields except that the trench bed is installed above the ori�inal ground usin� �vashed sand to provide the required separation to the seasonally high water table and allow the system to function properly. All septic systems require a three foot separation distance to the seasonally high watertable. � TRENCH SYSTEM I " �-�-� i• C —� a �a � ;�v,,, c —C � I t .. . . + o.. �� a , a o .. • i �� a t � • o � � �� � � � .!_. � � i • JL_� ? i_^___._ x.i•.. . � fl.oating so�ics c�stribution box sludce c=ai^=ielas \J 2•tOL� SYSTEhi :l r�-�•'-�- -�•--y — _�:�-'s. ., ;. � ^ _� _f:: . �,•;:/:� :.i_ � _ - ` l . I � �L'..:J1.Ag caambe: . ... ,,.iv�,; E�� HO`V CAN I NIAKE NIY SEPTIC SYSTE�I LAST LONGER? 1. Do not use your toilet or kitchen sinl:as a?arbage can. Undigested foods and cigarette butts �r-ill not decompose in the septic tanks. The use of garba�e disposals are not recommended for this reason. 2. Do not drive on or around the drainfield area. This will cause compaction of the system. The septic system�vill not absorb all the water it was desi�ned to and could cause early failure. 3. Have your seQtic tanks pumped at least once every three years (once every two years if you use a garba�e disposal) This will probably cost you about $200.00. Minnesota State La�v no�v requires that all septic tanks must be pumped throujh the manhole covers. If the contractor pumps throujh the �vhite inspection pipe, all he is removin� is the liquids. This method will not effectivelv remove the solids. The tanks should be opened in order to stir the contents to break up the slud�e and scum layers. The baf�les can also be cleaned, examined and repaired (if necessary) at this time. - _