The holidays are a wonderful time of year when many people host parties at their homes with family and friends. But with the added people, it may not be such a fun time for your septic system. Increases in flows and waste can cause systems to back up at the worst possible time, causing expensive repairs.

When you use too much water in a short period of time, wastewater is pushed into the septic tank too quickly which prohibits the solids from settling out. This solid-laden wastewater will then travel to the leach field, causing backups and an inevitable system failure. If you notice sewage backing up into fixtures or an area near your leach field is saturated and has a sewage odor, then your system is experiencing problems. Failing septic systems do not properly treat wastewater, which can be a hazard to humans and pets that come in contact with the raw sewage. These systems can also be a hazard to both surface water and groundwater sources. Failing septic systems leach nutrients and bacteria into lakes, streams and groundwater, possibly contaminating the water and endangering the health of those that use it.

A good thing to do before you have a lot of people over is to have your septic tank pumped out. The general rule is that systems should be pumped and inspected every three to five years. If the solids are not regularly pumped from the tank, they can build up and dump into the leach lines. It is recommended that homes that have garbage disposals should have their systems pumped more regularly because of the high amount of solids that are added to the system.

Some people commonly use additives to break down the solids and avoid the cost of pumping. Unfortunately, these additives are not helpful and in some cases can be detrimental to the health of your system. Septic systems rely on natural bacteria in the tank to digest the solids. These additives can be harmful to the bacteria and some of the additives that “degrease” or “de-scum” can actually ruin some of the septic system components.

Remember to remind your holiday guests about not flushing items like tissues, diapers, feminine care products and cigarette butts down the drain or toilet. These products, like other solid wastes, can plug the leach lines.

Also, being cautious of the amount of water you use can decrease the stress on the system. Installing water saving showerheads and toilets before your guests arrive will certainly help.

If you suspect that your septic system is not functioning properly, it is best to have a professional inspect it immediately. Keep pets and children away from the failing system. In many cases, if problems are detected early, less damage is done and repairs are easier and cost less.

Also, call your county health department to discuss options and concerns.

Hopefully using these tips, you and your septic system will have a happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year.

Jessica Miles is the Owasco Lake Watershed inspector