New Law?

[BroadHopper]

In the late 80s, Mass change the septic rules. I had a home just over the state line in Dracut. A letter from the Commonwealth stated my septic system is date 1979 and I had to replace it because of the new changes! At about the same time Dracut had in the works to run sewage on my street, but no time line given. Good riddance Massachusetts!

[tis]

Yes, let's add lots more to the tax base by requiring everybody's septic system to be inspected every year. Really? Do you know how much that would cost? Let's spend the money on enforcement another way please.

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by tis

Yes, let's add lots more to the tax base by requiring everybody's septic system to be inspected every year. Really? Do you know how much that would cost? Let's spend the money on enforcement another way please.

We need to recoup $ from Safety Inspections.

[tg38]

think maybe each town should review plans of systems that aren't some what current .

[John Mercier]

I thought septic systems were pretty much a State thing.
Not sure the local municipalities would like to get involved.

[TheTimeTraveler]

It is my opinion that all new septic systems should be designed with a garbage disposal in mind.

Many folks do not have a garbage disposals in their homes today but subsequent owners install them when the property is purchased.

Taking this simple step at the design stage could lead to a longer life span for the septic systems and less harm to the environment (fewer failures).

.

[burgerunh]

I have been a state licensed septic system designer for over 20 years and am also a professional engineer. Septic Systems and Garbage Disposals do not mix!

Even if you design for the garbage disposal, it is still a bad idea. The garbage disposal chops up organics into very small pieces. The smaller the pieces, the harder it is to settle out in the septic tank. Whatever does not settle out in your septic tank gets sent out to your effluent disposal area (leachfield) and clogs it up.

[Winilyme]

Originally Posted by burgerunh

I have been a state licensed septic system designer for over 20 years and am also a professional engineer. Septic Systems and Garbage Disposals do not mix!

Even if you design for the garbage disposal, it is still a bad idea. The garbage disposal chops up organics into very small pieces. The smaller the pieces, the harder it is to settle out in the septic tank. Whatever does not settle out in your septic tank gets sent out to your effluent disposal area (leachfield) and clogs it up.

We have garbage disposals and septic systems in both our homes. We stopped using the garbage disposals many years ago for the very reasons burgerunh states. We instead opt to compost 95 percent of our food waste and what little can't be composted goes out with the trash. We also don't flush wipes of any sort in the toilet and use 1-ply paper at the lake - among other precautions we take. There are lots of simple actions you can take to prolong the life of your system.