Top Ten things to do to Avoid Problems with a Septic System

1. Do not dispose of fats, greases, or cooking oils down the household drain.
2. Do not use a garbage disposal, or put coffee grounds, meat bones or other food products that are difficult to biodegrade down the drain.
3. Do not dispose of household cleaning fluids down the drain; use disinfectants sparingly.
4. Do not dispose of automotive fluids such as gas, oils,transmission or brake fluids, greases or antifreeze down any drains.
5. Do not rinse out or dispose of containers from any pesticides, herbicides, or other potentially-toxic substances down any drains. 
6. Do not dispose of any non-biodegradable substances or objects such as cigarette butts, condoms, disposable diapers, feminine products, particularly tampons.
7. Minimize water usage. Do not run water continuously while rinsing dishes or thawing frozen food products. Limit toilet flushes. 
8. Run only full loads when using a washing machine or a dishwasher. Try to stagger the use of the washing machine on different days. 
9. Do not use chemicals to start up or to clean your system. The are unnecessary and may actually harm the system or the groundwater.
10. Do not connect any clear water sources, such as footing and foundation sump pumps to the private sewer system.