Maintain the contract service arrangement offered by the manufacturer after the initial two-year period has expired (unless your community offers its own management program). It is very important that aerobic systems get regular maintenance every three to six months.
Keep your system accessible for inspection and pumping, yet protected from unauthorized entrance. If access to your system is locked, make sure that you keep a key and that your service contractor also has a key.
Call a professional whenever you experience problems with your system, whenever the alarm is activated, or when there are any signs of system failure.
Keep detailed records about your aerobic system, including a map of where it is, general information such as model name, capacity, state license, date installed, contract service agreement, records of service visits and maintenance performed.
Conserve water to avoid overloading the system. Be sure to repair any leaky faucets or toilets.
Divert other sources of water, such as roof drains, house footing drains, and sump pumps away from the aerobic system.
Become familiar with how your system operates and the way it looks, sounds, and smells when it is working properly so that you can identify problems before they become serious. Immediately alert your service provider about anything unusual.
Ask your service provider how to know if your unit is malfunctioning.
Check to see if your unit is working properly after a power outage.
DON'TS
Don't allow anyone to drive or park a vehicle over any part of the system.
Don't make or allow repairs to your aerobic system without obtaining the required health department permits.
Don't use your toilet as a trash can or poison your treatment system and the groundwater by pouring harmful chemicals and cleansers down the drain. Harsh chemicals can kill the beneficial bacteria present in the system that treat your wastewater.
Don't use a garbage disposal without checking with your local regulatory agency to make sure that your aerobic system can accommodate this additional waste. If you must use a garbage disposal, the system should be sized appropriately to accommodate the additional waste.
Don't attempt to clean or perform maintenance on any part of the aerobic system.
