Septic do's and don'ts: what never goes down the drain

Never flush or drain

• "Flushable" wipes - they don't break down like toilet paper
• Grease, fats and cooking oil
• Paper towels, tissues, cotton swabs and feminine products
• Medications and harsh chemicals
• Paint, solvents and automotive fluids
• Coffee grounds and large amounts of food scraps

Do

• Spread out laundry over the week instead of doing it all in one day
• Fix leaky faucets and running toilets - extra water overloads the system
• Keep cars, trucks and heavy equipment off the tank and drain field
• Plant only grass over the drain field; tree roots invade lines
• Keep a record of pump-outs and inspections

Skip the additives

A healthy system already has the bacteria it needs. Additives aren't a substitute for regular pumping.