Outdoor laborer drinking water in the heat

Seasonal Care for Septic Systems in the Summertime: Part II

ByLaura Schultz

Find Part 1 of this blog series here!

Schedule Needed Maintenance/Inspections During Good Weather

We all know that septic tanks need to be regularly cleaned and pumped on a 3-5 year schedule, depending on certain household factors. In theory, this work can be done in any season, but summer can be a more appealing time for homeowners to want to schedule their pumpings due to the better weather and general spirit of outdoors home improvement work. So, presenting summer as an ideal time for standard septic maintenance may be a helpful tactic in encouraging homeowners to keep up with their cleaning and pumping.

See the blog post “Resources to Communicate the Why and How of Septic Tank Pumping” for more advice on pumping education. 

The better weather may also present a good opportunity for inspections for possible more serious problems with a system, especially the mechanical pumps, motors, filters, and alarms. 

Protect the System’s Landscape and Environment

Again, this is true for all seasons, but any kind of foot or vehicle traffic (or longer placement of heavy objects) over a soil treatment area should be strictly avoided, whether that is a drainfield or mound. The area can be mowed during the summer, but should take no other significant weight at any time.

Drainfields should also be monitored over the summer as a potential sign of system failure or other operational issues. If the grass covering a septic system is unusually bright, green, and lush compared to the rest of the yard, that is typically a sign that the drainfield is not properly functioning. This will be particularly obvious if the rest of the yard’s grass is fairly dry or even parched, but drainfields can still be visibly more lush even in a well-watered yard if a problem is severe enough. See the blog post “How to Identify Early Signs of Septic System Failure” for more points to tell homeowners to look out for.

If there are other plants besides grass over the soil treatment area, they should not be fertilized or even watered. These plants, whether grasses or flowers, should also be shallow-rooted varieties so that their roots will not pose a risk to the septic system. This means deeper rooted plants like shrubs or vegetables should certainly not be planted over a septic system. 

Here a few other points of advice for septic-safe landscaping from the University of Minnesota Onsite Sewage Treatment Program:

  • Stop mowing over soil treatment areas a few weeks before the rest of the yard at the end of the season. The longer grass will provide better insulation for the system over the winter.
  • If the grass over a system is a native prairie grass, do not burn it — Simply mow.
  • If there is a constructed wetland site, make sure the plants are appropriate for wetlands and the native environment.
  • Water-seeking trees, such as willows, should be planted very far away from septic systems. (Or, alternatively, new septic systems should be installed very far away from existing willow trees). If too close, willows will root in the system and likely destroy it. 

Worker’s Bonus Tip: Stay Safe On the Job in High Heat

Finally, here is a tip for those outside doing the work on septic systems in the summer: Stay safe while working in the heat! This might be an obvious instruction, but it can be harder to do than many people realize — And heat deaths are on the rise in the United States, roughly doubling since 1999, according to a study released in an American Medical Association journal last year.

When it comes to heat illness prevention in the workplace, the first and one of the best places to go for information is the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), and as such it will serve as our primary reference point for this post. The keys to staying safe while working in the heat, according to OSHA, are simply these: Water, Rest, and Shade. 

  •  Employers should provide cool, potable water for their employees to drink. For short jobs less than two hours, drinking one cup (8 oz) of water every 20 minutes is generally sufficient. When the work lasts longer than two hours, beverages with electrolytes become necessary as workers lose salt through sweat, and employers should provide these also.
  • Breaks need to be mandatory at a worksite when heat stress is high. The frequency and length of breaks depends on a number of factors, mainly heat stress. Read more from OSHA above to help determine the necessary break cycle.
  • Breaks need to happen in shady, cool locations. It’s great to have an indoors, air-conditioned space available, but if there is no indoors space, tree shade, air-conditioned vehicles, tents, or other spots with fans and misters can suffice.

These are just the introductory points for remaining safe in the heat. There is much more to read from OSHA in order to understand the full risks of heat stroke, illness, and death; and to be able to put together a comprehensive heat safety plan for your workplace. Here are some (but not all!) of the additional resources to refer to from OSHA:

Finally, you may also want to refer to this presentation available in our Resource Library on both heat and cold stress. The presentation covers the causes, effects, and prevention of both types of temperature stress.

Sources and Further Information:

  1. Seasonal care at the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center, Onsite Sewage Treatment Program
  2. Summer Septic Maintenance Tips | John Kline Septic Services
  3. Seven Tips for Maintaining Your Septic Tank in the Summer | Bowen’s Septic & Plumbing
  4. Preparing Your Septic for Summer | FloHawks Plumbing + Septic
  5. Maintaining Your Septic System During the Summer When the Heat Is On | Central Septic and Plumbing
  6. Desert Septic Challenges: Overcoming Issues with Arid Climates | Odor Free Septic
  7. Droughts & Septics | Septic Check
  8. Heat and Cold Stress | Jennifer Scott-Wasilk for the Operator Training Committee of Ohio