Septic System Enzymes Information Page

What are septic system enzymes? Septic system enzymes are sometimes contained in additives, products designed to improve the performance of a septic system.  Should I use septic system enzymes? Chemicals and other additives promoted to keep a septic system "healthy" or "free-flowing" or "nourished" are generally not required nor recommended by any known expert sources Why you probably don't need septic system enzymes: 1. The amount of enzyme in each dose of additive is small compared to the bacteria already in the tank or introduced with the first flush of human waste (in the case of a new system). If you think about it, you are constantly introducing bacteria to the system each time you flush the toilet. So, adding a small amount of septic system enzymes isn't going to help much, unless your system is under extreme shock. So, they might provide a small help if your system is under extreme shock. A study as West Virginia University showed a small benefit provided by bacterial additives when the system is under high stress (the tanks were stressed much beyond what would occur in a normal household).  2. Pumping your tank is actually very inexpensive, does not have to be done very often and is one of the best investments you can make. 3. Septic systems normally don't fail because the tank fills up and overflows. According to the US EPA, approximately 95% of septic systems fail because the drain field gets plugged with solids. What about household cleaners? Many companies say that use of regular household cleaning products kills off the bacteria in the septic tank, which is why you need to use septic system enzymes or bacteria. However, while they do kill some bacteria, it is very rare that they would kill so a large quantity that it would effect your system. A  at the University of Arkansas, was done to document at what levels of household cleaners a 1000-gallon septic tank could function.  Based on this study, the recommended maximum dose for each of the following was established: 1.3 gallons of bleach, 2.5 gallons of Lysol and 0.65 ounces of Draino.  These amounts of the individual cleaners were introduced as one slug or large dose. Draino was added in the solid, concentrated form.  These recommended maximum doses, based on this study, are conservative; the actual doses that killed the tanks were twice as high.  These doses are obviously higher than any normal use would require.  Doses of cleaning products should be limited to what the manufacturer recommends. Will septic system enzymes harm my system?  The biological additives are unlikely to be harmful. The chemical additives could definitely harm your system. These products have the potential to sterilize your system temporarily. The resulting passage of raw sewage into the drainfield will hasten its failure. The acid and alkali products can corrode the plumbing and the tank. The organic solvents pass through the system unchanged. They can then infiltrate into the groundwater, creating a chemical plume that endangers nearby wells. There are a couple other problems associated with septic system enzymes. First, people who use additives may start to think that the septic tank additive is a panacea and ignore other aspects of septic system maintenance and abuse their system. Secondly, there are over 1200 companies marketing these products. Some (not all) of these companies are very aggressive and unethical, making highly exaggerated claims (such as "avoid pump-outs forever!) signing people up who don't want the product... Most states allow the use of biological additives, realizing they are, for the most part, not harmful to the system, but also realizing that there is little evidence showing them to be beneficial. As you may know from researching this topic, failing septic systems are a major financial and environmental problem in this country. Expensive septic repairs can often run from $5,000 to $20,000 or more and a large number of systems are failing throughout the country. For news stories related to failing septic systems and tightening regulations you can go to: http://www.laundry-alternative.com/failingseptic.htm You also can't sell your home if it has a failing system. For more information on how to properly maintain your septic system, go to: http://www.laundry-alternative.com/septic_system_maintenance.htm