Refrain from putting any plastic, cloth, or unnecessary paper products into the sewage system. Avoid using garbage disposals as they accelerate the accumulation of solids in the holding tank. Especially avoid putting any grease or oil in the disposal or drain. These can clog pipes and drain field soil and damage your system. The drainage field is an often overlooked aspect of the septic system, yet it is more important than the tank for the proper operation of the entire system.
Homeowners can take several measures to ensure their drain field is properly maintained.
Never park vehicles or place other large objects on the drain field, as this will compact the soil and reduce its ability to treat wastewater. It also may damage the network of drain pipes within the field, causing them to need to be replaced. Avoid planting water-loving shrubs with deep root systems or trees near the drain field, as roots could damage the pipes, or they could change moisture levels within the soil causing it to be less effective. Effluent from sump pumps and roof drains should not be discharged in the vicinity of the drain field, as this could keep the soil too wet, reducing its capacity to absorb the waste water and causing it to puddle on the surface, creating an environmental and health hazard. Check for depressions in the drain field where surface water can collect.