Water conservation has many benefits, both for the overall environment, and your septic system. In order to increase the lifespan of your septic system and regularly maintain your septic system there are many things you can do. Water conservation is one of the most important things that will benefit the overall health of your septic system. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the average indoor water usage in a single-family household is almost 70 gallons of water per day, per person. [1] This large amount of water all ends up in your septic system. The more water that is in your septic system, the less space there is for waste, and if there is less space for waste, your septic tank will get backed up more frequently and lead to clogged pipes and other issues. If you don’t want these issues occurring with your septic tank, be sure to read on about how you can conserve water to protect your septic tank.
Shorten Your Showers
Shortening your showers by a few minutes and reducing shower time to five to ten minutes long will save you lots of water. This is a small sacrifice to make to ensure that you don’t need to pay to pump your septic tank or to ensure there are no other costly septic system backups.
Turn the Faucet Off When Brushing Teeth, Shampooing, or Shaving
This is even easier than shortening the length of your shower. Turing off the faucet when brushing your teeth or shaving and turning off the showerhead while you are shampooing and conditioning saves a few minutes of water usage which is equal to a few gallons.
Use Your Dishwasher and Washing Machine Less
Similar to shorter showers and turning off faucets, reducing dishwasher and washing machine runs can save water. Try to only run these appliances when you have full loads, as it will save lots of unnecessary water and will even save you some time and effort.
Install Energy-Efficient Fixtures and Appliances
While the idea of installing all new energy-efficient features in your household seems expensive right now, it will save you money in the long-term in terms of your water usage and from the lack of septic system maintenance you’ll need. Energy-efficient fixtures and appliances have low-flow features that automatically use less water. These fixtures and appliances are definitely worth the upfront cost, as they will conserve energy which not only lowers your septic system maintenance bill, but your utility bill, as well.
Check for Leaky Fixtures
Any leaky faucets or pipes can lead to a lot of accumulated water waste, over time. You can check for leaks yourself or contact Bay State to come take a look at your faucets and pipes to make sure they are in tip-top shape.
Use Less Water Outdoors
Watching water usage outdoors is a key element of conserving water. Outdoor hoses use gallons of water very quickly. Therefore, try to watch the rainfall and use that to irrigate your lawn. Also, consider purchasing plants that require less watering, which will save you money in water and time spent watering plants. And, if you are planning on using your hose frequently, consider purchasing a nozzle that allows you to stop and start hose water and adjust power, so you can save water as you move with your hose. These tips will help you manage water usage in your household. In the long run, these handy and easy changes will save lots of money and water. If you have any more questions about how water usage may be affecting your septic system, be sure to contact Bay State.
[1] https://www.epa.gov/septic/how-care-your-septic-system