The many homes in Lehigh Acres have a septic system to treat their wastewater. The system works by treating wastewater in a holding tank and then transferring it to a drain field, or what is otherwise known as a leaching field.
A septic tank system will reduce the risks of environmental impact, soil contamination and pollution to your Lehigh Acres home. Installation and maintenance for a septic system is generally straightforward but before you start thinking about cleaning and inspecting the tank, it’s important that you are aware of the regulations.
General Rules Relating to Lehigh Acres Septic System Regulations
You are responsible for ensuring that your septic tank system meets the “General Binding Rules” (GBRs) set out by the local government. When a tank is installed underground, the wastewater treatment system must first be registered. Some information will be required at this stage, such as how much waste you discharge and where the sewage will be discharged from the septic tank.
A list of standard requirements apply to every kind of domestic system, and some basic rules are as follows:
- Equipment must comply with manufacturing and design standards
- Manufacturer specification must be taken into account for installation and operation purposes
- An authorized individual must dispose of waste sludge safely
- A competent individual must maintain the septic system to ensure maximum performance
In addition to the above regulations, you should get a certificate of completion once the system has been installed. Keep in mind that sludge, bacteria and effluent buildup can block the pipes, therefore it is advisable to seek assistance from a specialist to avoid poor drainage conditions.
Reasons to Maintain the System
There are three main factors that will affect how often you need to maintain your home’s septic system:
- Size of Home
- Size of Septic Tank
- Wastewater Solid Volume
- Wastewater Generation Amount
By taking the time to maintain a septic system, its functional life can increase, and the land surrounding the system will not be affected by dirty water that has been discharged incorrectly. Meeting the legal requirements will not only help you to steer clear of potential run-ins with the law, but also will teach you how to improve overall operation, enhance water quality and most importantly, reduce environmental impact.
Frequent pumping and inspecting will make it easy for you to identify leaks, uncover access holes and measure scum. Limiting water use and getting the system installed in suitable soils will lower the chances of the system failing. Muddy soil and pooling are two signs that you need to hire a professional for Lehigh septic replacement or repair.
Refrain from flushing things that contain chemicals, like paint thinners, pesticides and varnishes, since these chemicals will contaminate groundwater and surface water.
What happens if I sell my property?
The latest regulations relating to septic tank systems in Lehigh Acres states that a new operator must be informed about the location of the system’s main components, should you decide to sell your property. Maintenance records need to be provided or at the very least, details about maintenance supplied.
If you are looking for septic pumping, septic service or septic inspection in Lehigh Acres, give Diversified Plumbing Services a call. Our trained technicians will be happy to answer any questions you have and can perform any septic maintenance you require.