Does "grey water" harm a septic system?

Question

If you divert the drainage from washer can you add life to your septic tank? i.e, not get it pumped as often.

Answer 1

A septic system consists, basically, a tank in the ground with an overflow near the top. The tank is connected to the house by piping and piping spreads out under the earth from the tank's overflow. When the liquid in the tank gets high enough, it runs out of the overflow and through the underground tubing, which has holes in it to allow the effluent to be absorbed wy the surrounding soil. Solid materials stay in the tank because of a baffel or some kind of filter. Bacterial action breaks down the solids left in the tank unless something has caused a die off of the bacteria. As the material breaks down, it liquifies and passes out of the overflow along with the liquid waste, the solids effectively having been "liquified." Too much soap or strong detergent, especially antibacterial types, can cause the bacteria count to drop enough that an imbalance comes about and all of the solid waste is no longer broken down and liquified, staying in the tank and eventually causing the drain (overflow) to block. This is the point at which a tank needs to be pumped. A tank which works properly shouldn't ever have to be pumped though it's drainage field, the underground tubing which distributes the overflow into the earth, may have to be freed of tree roots and/or replaced.

Yes, grey water can harm the action in the system, but it won't harm the system itself. Just be careful about using too much detergent and use as little of the antibacterial types as possible. Personally, we never use them. Sudies have shown that the fewer types of bacteria one is exposed to the more likely he/she is to get sick from bacteria. This holds true for the bacterials counts in your environment also. Additionally, antibacterial agents aren't specific to just the bacteria harmful to humans. They destroy even those that are beneficial to our lives.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

No, the grey water does not hurt the septic tank. It may kill the bacteria in the septic tank that breaks down the waste, so you may have to have it pumped more often. You can counter this effect by adding any of the septic system enzymes available to replenish the bacteria.
As far as diverting the flow, you'll have to check with your state to see if this is allowed.

Answer 3

They Grey color does come from detergents and does inhibit the bacteria from eating up the sludge it your tank which slows the need for having it pumped. My advice would be to add more weekly. Buy a product called Rid-x at your local hardware store and just flush some down your toilet once a week and this should be sufficient and slow the need for getting the tank pumped so often. It replenishes the bacteria that eat up the sludge or solids in the tank and allows more flow into the leeching line.

Answer 4

diverting washer water is probably not legal in your area. yes, it will extend the life of your septic tank - reduced effluent volume, but more importantly it keeps bleach out.

bleach kills the bacteria that makes the septic tank work.

generally the way to keep your septic tank happy is to space your laundry loads (don't do everything in one afternoon, do a load every day or every other day) and dump yeast down your drain every once in a while.

Answer 5

It might actually shorten the life of a septic tank because of the detergent, lint, etc that the washing machine generates. I'm sure somebody has done a study on this and actually gotten paid to do it.

Answer 6

"Grey Water" from a washing machine contains detergent and maybe bleach that will intefere with the microbic action necessary for the breakdown of waste. Therefore, the cesspool won't drain as well. Plus it adds to the volume of liquid that the cesspool will need to handle.

Answer 7

Depends on your soil type and how well it actually drains. The soil where my house is, is mostly sand and rock from an old river bed so it drains well.

Answer 8

It shouldn't if proper chemicals are used regularly. Any solids are dissolved and drains with the water.

Answer 9

Only if it has uric acid in it

Answer 10

no