OPERATIONAL TIPS DO NOT use swimming pool chlorine tablets in your wastewater system. Only use tablets that are properly labeled for wastewater disinfection. This is a state law. DO NOT use anti-bacterial soaps & cleaners or excessive amounts of bleach as they will kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater. If you use cleaners with bleach to do general cleaning, put cleaner in bucket or pail & once you have completed your cleaning or moping, pour bucket of water outside - not into your wastewater system. DO NOT use your toilet as a trash can by dumping non-degradables down your toilets or drains. Also, do not poison your wastewater system and the groundwater by pouring harmful chemicals down the drain. They can kill the beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater. Keep the following materials out of your wastewater system: grease, disposable diapers, feminine hygiene products, condoms, hair, coffee grounds, paper towels, bandages, cigarette butts, plastics, oven cleaners, gasoline, oil, paint, paint thinner, antifreeze, non-biodegradable materials, chemicals, solvents, pesticides, herbicides, etc. Antibiotics and other strong medications such as cancer drugs, drugs for kidney dialysis or to treat liver disease can kill the bacteria in your system. If you are taking these drugs contact our office so that we can advise you as to steps that may be taken to help keep your system working properly. DO NOT flush any drugs down your toilet to dispose of them. DO NOT use caustic drain openers for a clogged drain. Instead use boiling water or a drain snake to open clogs. DO NOT run any discharge from a water softener through your system. DO NOT make or allow repairs to your wastewater system without obtaining the required health department permit. Use professional licensed wastewater contractors when needed. DO NOT use commercial septic tank additives. These products usually do not help and some may hurt your system in the long run. DO NOT allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system. The area over the drain field should be left undisturbed with only a mowed grass cover. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs may clog and damage your drain lines. DO NOT connect other water sources to the system, to prevent hydraulic overload. The garbage disposal should be used sparingly. Food, waste, grease, etc. should be disposed of in your trash bin. Food waste represents additional loading the wastewater unit would have to digest, decreasing the time that you will have between pumping out your tanks. Keep roof drains, basement sump pump drains, and other rainwater or surface water drainage systems away from the absorption field. Flooding of the absorption field with excessive water will keep the soil from naturally cleansing the wastewater, leading to groundwater pollution. Use potentially system-damaging commercial bathroom cleaners in moderation. Many people prefer to clean their toilets, sinks, showers, and tubs with a mild detergent or baking soda.   WASTEWATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS "Chlorine" tablets are not all the same TCEQ Chapter 285 On-site Sewage Facilities Effluent Disinfection states: "Tablets or other dry chlorinators shall use calcium hypochlorite of a type properly encapsulated and suitable for wastewater disinfection." Every chemical product is formulated for a specific application and use. If you use the wrong chemical in the wrong application, you are risking environmental damage, legal problems, and serious personal injury. Those who use the incorrect type of chlorine tablets in a wastewater treatment system violate the EPA’s control system and are subject to civil, as well as, criminal prosecution under the Federal Insecticide and Rodenticide Act, plus many other state and local statutes. Currently, there are two predominant types of chlorine tablets found on the market - calcium hypochlorite and chlorinated isocyanurates. Calcium hypochlorite tablets are very reactive and quickly kill bacteria present in wastewater (99% of the bacteria kill takes place in the first 10 minutes following contact.) Just as important, chlorine residual present after disinfection dissipates rapidly so that it will not damage the receiving environment. The other type of chlorine tablet is chlorinated isocyanurates, which are usually referred to as swimming pool tablets or "Tri-Chlors". Tri-Chlor tablets often make their way into wastewater treatments systems, though their use is both dangerous and illegal. Formulated for swimming pool disinfection, Tri-Chlor tablets dissolve more slowly than calcium hypochlorite and create a residual that does not readily dissipate. These tablets work well in swimming pool, where clean water is continually recirculated and slow dissipation of residual is desired, but they are unsatisfactory for wastewater treatment. When put into a flow-through wastewater tablet feeder, Tri-Chlor tablets will not thoroughly disinfect the effluent and the chlorine residual remains for long periods of time to damage the receiving environment. An additional danger arises in some installations using Tri-Chlor tablets for disinfection, due to an accumulation of moisture within the tablet. Designed to be totally immersed in water, Tri-Chlor tablets that are exposed to periodic flows begin to decompose and release an explosive gas called nitrogen trichloride. This colorless gas is heavier than air and has a strong odor of chlorine. If a sufficient concentration of nitrogen trichloride builds within the wastewater system, it can be ignited when exposed to an open flame or organic contaminates. Though rare, these explosions can be devastating, causing extensive property damage and potentially serious injuries. Always make sure that the chlorine tablets you are using are labeled for "Wastewater Treatment". Septic Solutions offers the correct tablets for use in your system in either a 10 lb. pail or a 25 lb. pail.