An Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Owner’s Manual


Troubleshooting System Problems

Common Problems

Existing ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS or cluster systems can MALFUNCTION for a number of reasons; the most common causes include excessive water use, improper or lack of MAINTENANCE, or the system is inadequately designed or improperly installed. Regular MAINTENANCE by a qualified professional is the best way to avoid problems with your system. In addition, if you see or smell signs of trouble, don’t ignore them. Prompt action at the first warning signs can prevent a problem from becoming worse.

Some common signs of trouble include sewer odors, slow drains, SEWAGE backup, and soggy soil or WASTEWATER surfacing in the yard. Determining the specific causes of the problem can be difficult for the homeowner and often requires the expertise of a SERVICE PROVIDER. In diagnosing the problem, it is important to observe whether the problem developed gradually or suddenly; whether it might be related to weather conditions; washing clothes; an increase in the number of people residing in the household; plumbing additions or leaks, or some other pattern or cause.

Once you and/or your SERVICE PROVIDER have identified the cause of the problem; a solution must be devised. If the solution involves a major modification or repair of the wastewater treatment system, contact your local onsite WASTEWATER ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY and ask about permit requirements in your area.

At all times, observe safety precautions!

  • Never enter a sewage tank.
  • Avoid coming into contact with WASTEWATER. WASTEWATER contains disease-causing viruses and bacteria. People and their pets that come into contact with WASTEWATER may become sick.
  • Use eye and face protection and rubber gloves when working around a wastewater treatment system.
  • Afterwards, clean and sanitize your hands, clothes, and areas of any splatter or spill, as well as, secure the lid and openings to prevent someone from accidentally falling into the tank.

Finding an Existing System

Although it may not be easy, it is important to know where the different parts of your ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM are located for proper MAINTENANCE and troubleshooting problems. Some counties and cities with onsite wastewater permit and INSPECTION programs may have system records and information on file. If no plans exist with the ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY, basement or crawlspace plumbing, cleanouts, sewage tank inspection ports, and dispersal system service access can be clues to the system’s location. Once the system layout is determined, diagram or map out the system for your records.

ProblemPotential CausesPotential Solutions
Wastewater Odors
– Indoors
  • Dry trap, typically a floor drain or unused plumbing fixture/drain
  • Johnny ring at toilet
  • Plugged sewer vent or vents not installed properly
  • Freezing can temporarily clog the vent
  • Unsealed electrical conduit from pump tank allows sewer gas indoors
  • Fill the trap with water periodically
  • Replace the Johnny ring
  • Contact qualified plumber to evaluate the plumbing and make necessary corrections
  • Seal conduit
Wastewater Odors
– Outdoors
  • Sewer vents too close to the ground or incorrect vents
  • Temporary weather conditions with little air movement
  • Sewer blockage
  • Heavy use of system
  • ⚠️Loose lid on sewer tank
  • ⚠️Wastewater and/or solids surfacing at tank
  • ⚠️Wastewater surfacing in yard
  • Contact qualified plumber to evaluate the plumbing and make necessary corrections
  • Wait and watch as weather conditions change
  • Contact qualified service provider to evaluate the sewage tank and take necessary maintenance or repair actions
  • Reduce water usage, repair leaking plumbing fixtures; install water-saving fixtures and appliances
  • Secure sewage tank lid
⚠️ Note: Urgent, take action promptly
ProblemPotential CausesPotential Solutions
Wastewater Odors
– Lagoons
  • Shading or overloading caused by trees
  • Overgrowth of vegetation; floating or aquatic plants in lagoon
  • Low water level
  • Accumulation of SLUDGE
  • Spring and fall turnover
  • Remove trees near lagoon
  • Remove excess vegetation from the lagoon
  • Introduce temporary source of water into lagoon
  • Contact qualified SERVICE PROVIDER to evaluate the lagoon and take necessary MAINTENANCE or repair actions
  • Wait and watch as weather conditions change
Wastewater back up into the house and/or plumbing fixtures gurgle, bubble, don’t drain, or are sluggish
  • ⚠️Clogged sewer line
  • Freezing can temporary clog a vent
  • ⚠️Tank is backed up due to: 
    1. Clogged EFFLUENT screen;
    2. Lateral lines backing up into tank; or
    3. Tank needs to be pumped
  • Plugged sewer vent or vents are not installed properly
  • ⚠️Excessive water use
  • ⚠️Improper plumbing
  • ⚠️Blockage in plumbing
  • ⚠️Roots clogging pipes
  • ⚠️MALFUNCTIONING pump in the system
  • Inadequate system design
  • Infiltration of watersurface or subsurface water entering the system
  • Power outage
  • Contact qualified plumber to evaluate the plumbing and make necessary corrections
  • Clear trap or snake the sewer line branch from the affected plumbing fixture
  • Contact qualified SERVICE PROVIDER to evaluate the sewage system and take necessary MAINTENANCE or repair actions, including pumping the tank or having SLUDGE removed from the lagoon
  • Clean EFFLUENT screen
  • Reduce water usage, repair leaking plumbing fixtures; install water saving fixtures and appliances
⚠️ Note: Urgent, take action promptly
ProblemPotential CausesPotential Solutions
Surfacing wastewater or soggy soil in the soil treatment area
  • Clogged soil dispersal trenches
  • Undersized system
  • Seasonally high groundwater or surface water
  • Excessive water use
  • Infiltration of water – surface or subsurface water entering the system
  • Allow trenches to rest; by reducing water usage and alternating trenches
  • Repair or replace the dispersal system; contact ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY for permitting requirements
  • Contact a qualified SERVICE PROVIDER to evaluate the sewage system and take necessary MAINTENANCE or repair actions, including pumping the tank, repairing outlet baffle, and installing EFFLUENT screen
  • Divert foundation drains, roof drains, and sources of surface water away from the system
  • Reduce water usage, repair leaking plumbing fixtures; install water saving fixtures and appliances
  • Install an interceptor drain and/or surface water diversion berm
Alarm on Pump Tanks
  • High water conditions
  • Pump, control floats, or panel failure
  • EFFLUENT screen is clogged
  • Tangled float cords
  • Infiltration of water – surface or subsurface water entering the system
  • Excessive water use
  • Temporary over-usage
  • Monitor the system, check breakers and outlet plugs
  • Contact a qualified SERVICE PROVIDER to evaluate the sewage system and take necessary MAINTENANCE or repair actions, including resetting the floats, cleaning EFFLUENT screens, repair or replace pumps or controls
  • Reduce water usage, repair leaking plumbing fixtures; install water saving fixtures and appliances
  • Follow manufacturer’s recommendations for aeration treatment units
  • Clean EFFLUENT screen
ProblemPotential CausesPotential Solutions
Alarm on Aeration Treatment Units
  • Mechanical system MALFUNCTION
  • Blocked air intake on aeration treatment unit
  • High water conditions
  • Debris in tank
  • Contact manufacturer and/or a qualified SERVICE PROVIDER to evaluate the system and take necessary MAINTENANCE or repair actions, including resetting the floats, cleaning the EFFLUENT screens, repair or replace pumps or controls
  • Reset breaker on aeration treatment unit

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Nearly one in four households in the United States depends on an individual ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEM or a small community cluster system to treat their WASTEWATER.
  • When properly designed, installed, and MAINTAINED, ONSITE WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS, can protect public health, preserve valuable water resources, and maintain economic vitality in a community.

 

"adequately managed decentralized wastewater systems are a costeffective and long-term option for meeting public health and water quality goals, particularly in less densely populated areas." - US EPA

Avoid Common Culprits to System Failure

Proper care and MAINTENANCE of your septic system is critical to ensuring your system's proper function. In addition to proper care, there are other common activities to be mindful of in our daily lives.

  • While convenient, frequent use of garbage disposals significantly increases the accumulation of SLUDGE and SCUM in septic tanks and can result in the need for more frequent pumping.
  • Paints, solvents, and large volumes of toxic cleaners should not be put down the drain or flushed. Remember that your septic system contains living organisms that digest and treat waste.
  • Some appliances, water softeners, and toilets unnecessarily pump water into septic systems. Outdated and inefficient systems can send hundreds of gallons of water to septic tanks, causing agitation of solids and excess flow to dispersal trenches. This can be prevented through proactive MAINTENANCE such as fixing leaks and updating/replacing old appliances or water treatment systems with newer water efficient models.
  • Hot tubs may be a great way to relax, but when it comes to emptying them, your septic system should be avoided. Drain cooled hot tub water onto turf or landscaped areas far away from your septic tank and soil treatment system, and in accordance with local regulations. Use the same caution when draining swimming pools.

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