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I <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 tt�wo 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 sclum 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 rench bed is installed above the original ground <br /> to provide a sep ration from the seasonally high water table and <br /> allow the system o function adequately. <br /> TRENCH SYSTEM <br /> rry �1 .7 r? r. t —r c —5-a a .— —_ c -n C -07:1 <br /> Y- <br /> \ r ,..,_ <br /> a 0 %... ♦ i ,� � ♦ J t 7 • 0 7 C�=i <br /> , • distribution box <br /> floating solids I drainfields <br /> sludge IL. <br /> MOUND SYSTEM I `v <br /> _ , <br /> I _ -• — _ ---•._ _mo <br /> ,,t---- ,,,..___.....e <br /> AactuagutJJ -- pumping chamber <br /> „,....4r <br /> CP,A <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 an cigarette butts will not decompose in the <br /> septic tanks (this i cludes the use of garbage disposals ! ) . <br /> 2 . Have your tanks pumpe at least once every three years (once every <br /> two years is necessa 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 baffled can also be <br /> cleaned, examined, and repaired (if necessary) at this time. <br /> I <br />