Getting Ready for SepticSmart Week 2024

This year’s SepticSmart Week is just one month away! The 12th annual celebration of the event will run from September 16-20, and provide the opportunity for communities, national organizations, local groups, and governments to come together to bring attention to the importance of caring for and maintaining septic systems through homeowner education and public outreach. 

Remember, there are seven principles for homeowner septic care that the SepticSmart program works to share. You can find videos and other digital resources advertising these principles to share with homeowners in the links below!

  1. Think at the Sink! What goes down the drain has a big impact on your septic system. Fats, grease, and solids can clog a system’s pipes and drainfield.
  2. Don’t Overload the Commode! A toilet is not a trash can. Disposable diapers and wipes, feminine hygiene products, coffee grounds, cigarette butts, and cat litter can damage a septic system.
  3. Don’t Strain Your Drain! Use water efficiently and stagger use of water-based appliances. Too much water use at once can overload a system that hasn’t been pumped recently.
  4. Shield Your Field! Tree and shrub roots, cars, and livestock can damage your septic drainfield.
  5. Keep It Clean! Contamination can occur when a septic system leaks due to improper maintenance. Be sure your drinking water is safe to drink by testing it regularly.
  6. Protect It and Inspect It! Regular septic system maintenance can save homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs and protect public health.
  7. Pump Your Tank! Pumping out your tank on a regular basis, typically around once every 3-5 years, makes it far less likely for the tank to back up into your home or overflow into your yard.

Now is the time to start planning what you are going to do to commemorate the week, if you haven’t already! You can peruse the SepticSmart Week page and other SepticSmart program materials at the EPA at your own pace, or check out these particular resources we recommend for reaching and educating septic system users:

  • How State and Local Governments Promote and Proclaim SepticSmart Week
    EPA Webinar Recording
    • This recorded webinar explains what a SepticSmart Week Proclamation is and the value they have, and teaches the steps to get a proclamation from state, county, tribal, or local officials. 
    • Find the links to the different proclamation templates for governors, mayors, and tribal/community leaders here.
  • SepticSmart Education Materials — EPA Toolkit
    • This is a compendium of resources for advertising the SepticSmart quick tips and other homeowner guidance. The resources include brochures, posters, mailers, case studies and more, and can be downloaded, printed, and shared as needed. There are also many Spanish-language resources available!
  • SepticSmart Quick Tip Videos
    • Each SepticSmart quick tip/principle has a 1-2 minute YouTube video available to share that quickly explains to homeowners the importance of each tip in maintaining their septic systems.
  • Do’s and Don’ts of Your Septic System — Flier
    • This is a popular one-page flier that lists Do’s and Don’ts of how to follow several of the SepticSmart principles.
  • Do Your Part — Infographic
    • This infographic displays each SepticSmart principle on a model of a home to demonstrate where each principle comes into play for the septic system.
  • Homeowner Training Materials — NOWRA Learning Module
    • Over at NOWRA, a free online training module is available to homeowners who are looking for more in-depth lessons explaining how to care for and keep their septic systems functioning as they are meant to.
  • ‘Being SepticSmart’ Webinar Registration — September 17, hosted by the University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program
    • This free two-hour Zoom webinar will be hosted by Dr. Sara Heger, an onsite wastewater treatment expert and instructor at the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center. The webinar will teach homeowners how their septic systems work and how to best care for and maintain them.