Septic Tank Garbage Disposal
Summary: A garbage disposal will not harm your septic system! In fact, it can be an advantage to helping your septic tank function well. Size your septic tank system correctly and maintain it regularly, and your septic disposal will do its job right.
How many homes in the United States do you think rely on a septic system for their household sanitation needs? 5 million you guess? Go higher. 15 million, maybe? Still higher. Try 27 million homes. If we say that there are an average of 3 people in each house that is nearly 81 million people!
Recent studies indicate that of these 27 million homes, only 22 percent have elected to install a garbage disposal. The 78 percent who do not have garbage disposals choose not to do it largely because they feel these devices will harm their septic tanks or drain fields.
The truth of the matter - as stated by the Federal Housing Authority and other key industry groups such as the Small Flows Clearing House - is that garbage disposals work just fine when coupled with a septic system that has been sized correctly and is maintained on a regular basis.
Displacement
When you send solid particles into a 1,500 gallon capacity septic tank, they begin to accumulate. This accumulation is called sludge. Waste particles that can be broken down by the bacteria within a septic tank can sometimes become sludge if the bacteria doesn't have a chance to attack it.
One of the reasons this can happen is that the particles do not remain in suspension for a long enough period of time. When this happens, the bacteria that break down waste simply do not have enough time to "eat" the waste. As sludge begins to build in a septic tank, it effectively reduces the capacity of the tank and beneficial bacteria.
In our case, let's say that 400 gallons of sludge is in the bottom of the tank. This means we only have 1,100 gallons of bacteria filled water left to attack food and other waste particles. Is it starting to become clear why regular tank maintenance is important? For the same reason, you should avoid sending solid objects such as cat litter, plastic Star Wars figures, and other objects towards the septic tank.
Additives
You can purchase countless septic tank and system additives. Some of these products are harmful to the biological activity within the septic system. In fact, some additives can rapidly kill the bacteria within the tank. If this happens you will quickly ruin your entire system as solid particles of waste will be carried to the drainfield. When this happens, it is curtains. The solid particles clog the gravel and soil that surrounds the perforated drain pipe in the leachfield. Clogged gravel and soil means the polluted water has nowhere to go but the surface or it can travel through the soil to contaminate other groundwater resources.
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Comments:
brian 10 Mar 2008, 09:20
It looks like a garbage disposal actually helps a septic tank. I will also
buy some Rid-X today.
Cliff 13 Mar 2008, 16:39
although this article gives me encouragement in choosing to buy a garbage
disposal it states that a garbage disposal is good for a septic tank, but
doesn't tell me why.
AsktheBuilder 15 Mar 2008, 07:39
Cliff,
That is because you didn't read *all* of the other columns here on the website about the same topic. I often write more than one column about an issue.
Elvis 1326 11 Apr 2008, 17:25
I am in the process of buying a home in the Pensecola aera of Florida and
the contractor told me that I can not have a garbage disposal because I am
going to have a sepic tank. Is this a building code or does he just not to
put one in. Thank you Elvis 1326
AsktheBuilder 24 Apr 2008, 14:31
Elvis,
Something tells me your builder is messing with you. You can see in my column why disposers do not cause a problem. But as crazy as it sounds, there may be some strange aspect of your local plumbing code that prohibits disposers on septic systems. To get to the bottom of this, you need to talk directly with your building inspector and your plumbing inspector.
todd 05 Jun 2008, 09:02
I need to replace an existing disposer that has failed. I have a septic
system and have not had any problems in the past (I pump my tank every 3-4
years). Is a "Septic Assist" disposer (one that adds a Bio-charge solution)
worth a look?
Leah 26 Jul 2008, 15:41
I was told that there was a new kind of garbage disposal that actually has
a canister (or the like) that contains bacteria that releases everytime you
use your garbage disposal therby alllowing the homeowener to extend the
life of a sand mound almost twofold. Can you comment or let me know what
you think and where I might find such a disposal.
Thanks
Rick Howe 31 Jul 2008, 14:30
Your comments about garbage disposals are inaccurate and misleading. Small
Flows states exactly the opposite of your comments.
Garbage disposals discharge untreated solids into the tank, reducing the effective capacity of the tank. Most of these solids are in suspension and are discharged into the drain field untreated. You are doing a disservice to your readership with your inaccurate and misleading information.
Joanie Brown 17 Aug 2008, 12:53
I'm confused now - is it or isn't it ok to install a garbage disposal with
a septic system? We were told we "couldn't have one", but no one really
explained why - I thought it would prevent larger particles from
accidentally getting down the drain & would be good, but the whole bacteria
question is very confusing to the average person. Thanks!
Atomic Punk 20 Sep 2008, 19:09
I own a Septic Insinkerator with the Biocharge attachment and it has worked
quite well. When I had my septic tank pumped, the service guy said that
the tank looked like new. I know the Septic version works. What I would
like to know is if a standard Insinkerator would work with a Biocharge
additive added on occasion?
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