There is a old wives tale in my wifes family about spoiled milk added to the septic system once a month promoting “enhanced” bacterial growth for more efficient decomposition in the septic tank.
I have looked for information specific to this on the 'net and cant come up with anything to support this claim.
While I dont believe that the spoiled milk will do any harm to the system, I dont believe it really has any benefits either. Spoiled milk is obviously disgusting stuff, so if I can avoid the once a month ritual I would.
My questions are:
*Are the bacteria found in spoiled milk the same bacteria that would be found in the septic tank?
*If that answer is no, does it matter what bacteria are in the tank?
*Will ANY bacteria have the same decomposition effect in the tank?
*Could this spoiled milk turn solid in the tank and cause problems by nnot decomposing?
I know there are things like Rid-X that can be added to the tank too, but at the cost of adding that to the tank once a month (as recommended), it would add up over time to just about equal the cost of having the tank pumped in a couple years (as also recommended). I know people that have never had their tank pumped also.
I would think that over time, no matter what you do to the tank for decomposition, it will still need to be pumped eventually for things that dont decompose (like sand, dirt, etc from laundry).
My septic has never been pumped in 15 years. I think my husband may have done it once when he moved in 22 years ago. I also don’t use Rid-X. I don’t know if there’s any forewarning when your system is about to blow, but I’ve had no indication we need to do anything other than what we’re doing. Which is going potty and flushing the toilet.
Experts say you should have the tank pumped out every three years or so. I just had my pumped out for $200.00. When I was a kid, our neighbors (who NEVER had theirs pumped) had to have a new tank and drain field installed for a few thousand dollars. Their yard was squishy when you walked on it. Guess what it was squishy from? :eek:
$200 every three years sounds like a BARGAIN to me!
Boy, wouldn’t I like the SD on this. We’re at 6 years on our tank with regular Rid X and no pumping. No problems so far but no y’all have got me worried.
I used to work for an environmental protection agency in VA, and one of the regulations that we enforced was the requirement that all septic tanks in the Chesapeake Bay watershed be pumped out once every five years. I worked closely with the VA Dept. of Health in coming up with the regulations, so I am a semi-authority on septic tanks (yeah, I know, great claim to fame). Anyway, here’s the, er, poop…
Whether or not septic tanks should be pumped is somewhat dependent upon usage (a family of four, with kids, produces much more wastewater than does a little old lady living alone). Accordingly, there is more likely to be a need for pumping (the exact reasons for which we’ll get to in a second) from a larger household. Take that into consideration.
People put all sorts of stuff into their septic systems. Grease and other contaminants that don’t disolved in water collect in the the tank and can clog the distribution box and the actual lines themselves. What little does make it out of the lines tends to collect in the soil pores and reduces the cleaning efficiency of the soil. It also greatly reduces the carrying capacity of the soil. The waste (largely untreated) now backs up above the line and percolates to the soil surface. That’s the squishy stuff in your yard.
A healthy septic system DOES NOT need any additives at all. Nothing. No soured milk, no Rid X, nothing. The bacteria that are naturally present in the tank will go about their merry way, digesting poop and stuff and turning it into liquid and gas. If the tank becomes contaminated with oil, grease, etc. it’ll kill off the bacteria and you end up with a inefficient system that is dangerous to the environment (where do you think all the pathogens and viruses go that arent’ digested by the bacteria that you’ve killed? They are carried to the groundwater that your downstream neighbors drink.)
As a precautionary measure, pump out once every 5 years is what recommended for an average family situation. The majority of the cost is in the uncovering of the tank and runs usually around $150-200. A new drainfield (the last time I checked) was running around $5,000.
plnnr
Not to mention that building codes are likely to have changed from when the system was first installed, and it may have to be brought into compliance. So KnK, this means you may need larger tanks, a larger field, a different distibution system, etc.
Hmmm…now I know! Okay, Mr. Septic Master…I’ve got a couple other questions. My house is over 100 years old. It was originally a 7-acre spread. It was divided and now we are on 2 acres and the neighbor has five, which he built a house on 15 years ago. We are heavily wooded in our yard and a stream is on the other side of the house. The neighbor’s field is wide open, save for a few little trees. I have no idea for sure where our septic field is, but I have a feeling it’s on his property, because someone told me trees and septic tanks don’t mix. Our trees are all really old. Where do you think it would be? Would the original installation be situated that far away from the house? It’s probably the distance of 3 suburban tract houses from ours.
Another question for the septic master, it would seem common sense, but is it true that even small amounts of anti-bacterial soap are a no-no? Small amounts of bleach? Powdered dishwasher detergent?
Plnnr - Good information. But how about my original questions about the bacteria(s).
NutMagnet - My house is less than a year old. 4bdrm, 4 ppl, 1500 gallon tank. I have no problems with my system, and agree with Plnnr that a “healthy septic system DOES NOT need any additives at all”.
I’m essentially looking for conclusive micro-biological facts (if any) about the bacteria relationship between spoiled milk and septic tanks. Cecil???!!!???
My current philosophy on the subject is to do nothing out of the ordinary and wait until the system is about 3-4 years old, have it pumped then, and evaluate if there is a different course of action needed at that point.
There is no relationship between spoiled milk and septic tanks. Remember, it is a septic tank - you’re not trying to make yogurt in it. The milk ain’t gonna hurt, it ain’t gonna help.
Regarding Kalhoun’s question: The age of the house isn’t really important. The house, in all likelihood, had an outhouse upon original construction, or a pipe leading very conveniently to the stream. When the drainfield and septic system was put in they would have put it in the easiest spot - the nearest open field. You’re right, your drainfield is probably in the middle of your neighbor’s field. Trees and drainfields do notmix (particularly some species). Maples, poplars, willows, and beeches (all hydrophilic trees) will run roots into the drainfield and can wreck havoc.
I’ve been using RID-X for two years, and had my tank pumped yesterday. The pump dude said that for the amount of bacteria in RID-X, as it contains other inert stuff, is no way efficient to change anything in a typical 1000 gallon tank. The volumn is too much. Said if you were faithful to a 2 or 3 year plan on having it pumped, you don’t need extra bacteria. So, I’m going to save myself 10 bucks every other month on the RID-X and I’ll see what happens 2 or 3 years from now. I’ll get back to ya.
Here in the frozen north the accepted behaviour is to add a tablespoonful of dry yeast into your flush once a week in the wintertime. Last winter here was snowless and cold till after Christmas, and hundreds of people froze their septic fields and water wells. My field was okay, but the water line froze three times! Each time I was able to thaw it out, but we had to go to the Y2K privy when it was -25 Celsius for one week! Let me tell you, nobody lingered to read the newspaper!
Adding yeast probably helped, and it is cheap compared to some commercial products.
