I have lived rural on wells & septic systems for 41 of my 78 years. It is almost impossible to explain to city people what they can do with their septic systems & what they CAN NOT do. Telling them that the toilet paper like Cottonelle is too fiberous to break down in the septic is just one example. Also-—NO use of a ‘garbage disposer’ with a septic.
One neighbor has totally ignored me. I told him he better have about $10,000 saved to replace his septic & leach lines.
I am careful what I use, and I also use Bio-Clean every month to keep the bacteria active.
We just bought a second home with a tank and a grinder/pump. There is a slight uphill flow to the local sewage plant. No leach field. Apparently the city sewer line is slightly pressurized until it “gets over the hump” and it is then downhill to the sewage plant.
It has a pump system with an outdoor control panel with an audible alarm and red light. No operating instructions came with it.
I’ve contacted the local companies that maintain septic systems and pump them out, how frequently they need pumping, companies that change the pumps, and the local sewer district to find out how to maintain this thing and what to do if the alarm sounds. It is surprising how little info I’ve been able to get for it. I don’t now if I have to live like we are on a full septic system with a leech field (per your rules) or if we can live like we are on a city sanitary sewer. Also, do I need to use a monthly cleaner?
Very frustrating! I hate to guess and find out I have a big maintenance bill. No matter where I live, grease in the sink drains has always been a big no-no. I also use the disposal very sparingly - actually hardly at all.