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. ' . <br /> 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 /> . 0 c-�s .—• e —,. c �o a �—s o --e o o�� <br /> 0 0 ., . i + �� o � o � � . o y O d <br /> � ��i.. �_. ♦ � . � � ��. O �_�.�_� <br /> �������`����" distribution box � <br /> floating solids drainfields <br /> sludge � <br /> J � <br /> MOUND SYSTEM <br /> .:;;•:j•. r•�.;.� -f , s•i• -��;_ _ <br /> _.�.�' — -- <br /> �ing chamber <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 tnethod will not effectivelv 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 />