Septic systems
By Sharon OmahenUniversity of GeorgiaLike hot water and electricity, your home septic system is one ofthose things you may not think about every day. That is, until itstops working. Then it’s all you think about.University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist Kent McVaysays an easy way to prevent septic system problems is to haveyour system inspected every few years. Training the state’s installers”Septic system installation used to be as simple as knowing a guywith a backhoe,” McVay said. “Now, installation is much moreprofessional. And the state requires installers to attend whatamounts to one day of training every two years to earn eighthours of continuing education credits.”UGA specialists, engineers, state environmentalists and industryconsultants teach with both classroom and hands-on field trainingin the UGA program.About 4,000 Georgians are employed as installers. Another 400soil scientists and engineers work in the field, McVay said.With 70 percent to 80 percent of new home construction using on-site septic systems, McVay says septic system installation should be regulated because improper installation can severely impact public health.”The soils in Georgia are capable of taking careof this waste,” he said. “But the systems need to be installedcorrectly.”For a list of upcoming trainings, call McVay at (770) 233-5506or email him at kmcvay@uga.edu. Pay now or pay laterIf you haven’t had your home septic system inspected in fiveyears, McVay recommends making an appointment with a septic tankpumper.”You may not want to spent the $200 or $300 for the inspectionand pumping now,” he said, “but it’s a lot cheaper than diggingup your lawn and installing new drain fields because youneglected your system.”McVay recently joined the UGA faculty in Griffin, Ga., asdirector of the university’s wastewater management educationprogram. He teaches proper septic system installation proceduresto installers across the state and at on-site training centers inGriffin and Hazlehurst.Each site demonstrates various types of septic system designs.The sites and the training program are funded by the GeorgiaDepartment of Human Resources, with support from the GeorgiaOnsite Wastewater Association.
An ounce of prevention”It’s not a pleasant topic, but it’s something that has to bedealt with,” McVay said. “The easy way to remember it’s time tohave your septic system cleaned is to have it done every electionyear.”To help extend the life of your home septic system, McVay offersthese tips:* Minimize water usage. “Your system can handle only so muchwater at a time,” he said. “Keep that in mind when you’re washingclothes, taking showers and running the dishwasher.”* Don’t use a garbage disposer. “If you’re on a home septicsystem, compost your kitchen scraps,” McVay said. “This canreduce the organic load by as much as 50 percent and help yourhome garden, too.”* Reduce harsh chemical usage. “Don’t use chlorine bleach toclean everything in your home,” he said. “Moderate use is okay,but excessive use kills the useful bacteria that are working tobreak down bacteria in your septic system.”