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Pumping Checklist:
(what we check for when we pump and maintain a system)
Tank Check:
• Inspection pipes: Check to make sure all inspection pipes on the tank are in place and not broken.
• Manhole lid: Check to make sure manhole is to surface, is secure, and properly labeled.
• Liquid level: Check to make sure tank is at proper level, overfull implies possible drainfield failure.
• Scum: measurement of the accumulation of floating solids in the tank.
• Sludge: measurement of the accumulation of non-degradable settled solids in the tank. The total of scum and sludge should not exceed 25% of Normal liquid depth listed below.
• Inlet baffle: check to see if this baffle is in place, a missing or broken inlet baffle impedes proper septic tank operation
• Outlet baffle: check to see if this baffle is in place, a missing or broken outlet baffle will allow the floating solids (scum) to go out to the drainfield, plugging the soil pores and causing drainfield failure.
• Water tightness: Check to see if the tank is water tight, if not, the system is not treating waste and needs to be repaired or upgraded.
• Effluent filter: Check and clean effluent filter if there is one in the system.
• Normal Liquid depth: measurement of distance from bottom of tank to outlet of tank, along with scum and sludge measurements, used to calculate pumping frequency.
Pumps and Controls
• Float switch settings: verify that pump is pumping correct amount when it is activated
• Drain Back: Verify that when pump shuts off, effluent line drains properly; necessary to prevent freezing in the winter.
• Event counter/Runtime: record reading of meter, indicates how much wastewater the system is receiving, helpful in diagnosing problems should they arise.
Soil treatment system:
• Inspection pipes: Check to make sure all inspection pipes in the drainfield area are accessible and in good repair.
• Surfacing of effluent: Check to see that sewage is not detectable at the ground surface (surfacing sewage is an imminent public health threat)
• Ponding: Check to see that there is not excessive ponding in the drainfield area, this is an indicator of future system failure.
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