Q&A / 

Safe Septic Tank Additives

Safe Septic Tank Additives

Tens of millions of people utilize septic systems to take care of sanitation needs on their property. It is no wonder that different additive companies target this market in an effort to push/sell products. Some of the additives are safe and cause no harm to the bacteria within the tank. Some additives destroy the bacteria.

The State of Washington took a leadership role regarding this topic. In 1993, the State Legislature found that "... most additives do not have a positive effect on the operation of on-site systems, and can contaminate groundwater aquifers, render septic drainfields dysfunctional, and result in costly repairs to homeowners ..." To make a long story short, the State of Washington's Department of Health started to study additives. They determined which ones were safe for septic systems with the intention of protecting consumers. Those additives that were approved are NOT warranted by the State of Washington to work. The approval simply means that the additive will not HARM the bacteria within the tank. For that reason alone, the results of their work are significant. At least you know the safe ones to buy. You then have to judge on your own if they work.

If you want the most updated list of additives that they deem to be safe, call, write or visit their web site:

  • Washington State Department of Health - Community Environmental Health Program
    P. O. Box 47826
    Olympia, Washington 98504-7826
    www.doh.wa.gov

The most recently approved "safe" septic system additives, as of January, 2007, are as follows:

  • Aquaterra GHSD-1 and LS-1472
    Aquaterra Biochemical Corporation

  • Bio Blast
    Dr. Ricketts Nutritionals
  • Biocharge
    In-sink-erator Division
    Emerson Electric Company
  • Bi-Chem SM700
    Novozymes Biologicals Inc.
  • Bio Choice ES
    Osprey Biotechnics
  • Bio-Clean
    Kinzie & Payne Biochemical Corporation
  • Bio-Green
    Delta Bioproducts International
  • Bio Kleer S
    Bio Aqua Enterprises Inc.

  • Bio-Jet-7
    Jet Inc.

  • Bio-One
    One Biotechnology
  • Bio Rooter Drain Maintainer
    Western Drain Supply
  • Break-Thru Septic Tank & Cesspool Maintenance
    Hercules Chemical Company
  • Break-thru Septic Tank & Cesspool Restorer
    Hercules Chemical Company
  • Rid -X Septic System Treatment
    Reckitt Benckiser Inc.
  • Drain Care-Septic Tank Treatment
    Enforcer Products Inc.
  • Drain Out Enzyme Septic Treatment
    Iron Out Inc.

  • Drain Care Liquid Septic Tank Treatment
    Enforcer Products Inc.

  • Drano Plumbing System Buildup Remover
    S C Johnson & Son Inc.
  • DWT 360 Septic Tank Maintainer / WT 360 Waste Degrader
    Tri-Synergy Inc.
  • Eco-Save ES-700
    Eco-Save Products
    JWH Distributing
  • Enviro-Culture
    Bio-Energy Systems
    Inc.
  • Grease Tank Treatment
    Roebic Laboratories Inc.
  • Greenpig Septic Tank Treatment
    Greenpig
    Inc.
  • GSI 4000
    General Supply Inc.
  • HMS Septic Tank Maintenance
    Greenpig
    Inc.
  • Instant Power Septic Shock
    Scotch Corp.
  • Instant Power Septic System Treatment
    Scotch Corp.
  • Liquid Alive
    Dymon Inc.
  • L.E.A.D. Enzyme Digestant
    Formula Corp.
  • Liquid Live
    Formula Corp.
  • Liquid Plumr Septic System Treatment
    Clorox Co.
  • Microbe Lift
    Ecological Laboratories
  • Microbe-Lift Septic Tank Powder Packets
    Ecological Laboratories Inc.
  • Microbe-Lift/ST Septic Digestant
    Ecological Laboratories Inc.
  • Plumb-Clean
    Kinzie & Payne Biochemical Corp.
  • Pro-Pump Cold Weather Powdered Digestant
    Ecological Laboratories Inc.
  • Pro-Pump Powdered Digestant for Septic Tank and Leachfields
    Ecological Laboratories Inc.
  • Pro-pump Septic Digestant
    Ecological Laboratories Inc.
  • Push
    Betco Corporation
  • Rid-X Professional Septic System Treatment + Drain Maintainer
    Reckitt Benckiser Inc.
  • Roebic K-37 Septic Tank Treatment
    Roebic Laboratories Inc.
  • Roebic K-47
    Roebic Laboratories Inc.
  • Roebic K-57
    Roebic Laboratories Inc.
  • Roebic K-87 Soap Digester FMP Soap Degrader
    Roebic Laboratories Inc.
  • Roebic K-97 Mainline Cleaner
    Roebic Laboratories Inc.
  • Roebic Liquid Grease Degrader
    Grease Trap Treatment
    Roebic Laboratories Inc.
  • Roto-Rooter Septic & Cesspool System Treatment (Dry)
    Changing Paradigms
  • Roto-Rooter Septic & Cesspool System Treatment (Liquid)
    Changing Paradigms
  • Roto-Rooter Treatment for Septic Tanks and Cesspools
    Roto-Rooter Corp.
  • Sea-Zyme Septic Tank Digester 2000
    Century Products
  • Septic Helper 2000
    Shar Lane Distributing Co.
  • Septic-Scrub Drainfield Flow Restorer
    Arcan Enterprises, Inc.
  • Septic Tank Aids
    Heartland Labs Division of A&V, Inc.
  • Septonic Septic Tank Additive
    AHT Field & Co.
  • Shactivate Sewage Digester
    Shar Environmental Products Inc.
  • Sludgehammer Blend
    Pirana ABG Inc.
  • Super Pack Bacteria
    Septiclear Inc.
  • Ultra Green 3 Enzyme Cleaner
    Iron Out Inc.

Author's Note: We've received other questions with similar problems or questions. Here's one from Howard Stein of Oklahoma City, OK, regarding his home septic system.

"We have ten inches of snow and the temperature is near zero Fahrenheit. It will stay like this for several days.  Is it safe to use our washing machine (doing regular laundry) in this frigid weather since we have a septic tank and fear that the "arms" cannot properly dispose of large volumes of water into the ground?  Many thanks for your help."

Howard, typically in most septic systems, the tank and drainage fields are located well below the frost line.

Related Articles:   Septic Tank MaintenanceSeptic Tank Garbage DisposalGarbage Disposal for Septic Tank ManufacturerDisposals Harm Septic Systems - Garbage!

Column B225

SPONSORS / 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *