As concerns over rising infection rates have led some schools and workplaces to rely on virtual learning and their employees working from home, it has led to numerous questions about potential impacts to the septic systems our industry services. While there is not much information out there yet about impacts or problems, there are a few areas a service provider can pay attention to in order to intercept and prevent problems down the road due to different school, workplace and lifestyle changes.

Before touching on potential system problems, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the most important things a system provider can pay attention to — your personal health and safety. If you are ill and are among the 20% of people who have more serious health problems due to the coronavirus, you will not be able to help anyone for an extended period of time. This makes the wearing and proper use of personal protective equipment as you work even more important. This means cleaning uniforms or clothing every day, showering after work, wearing eye protection and proper gloves, washing hands frequently and using hand sanitizer.

The articles and criteria I have seen all say that using PPE and safety protocols you should already have for your business will protect you from COVID-19, as well as other illnesses. I realize that when working every day around sewage, we all have a tendency to become a little complacent and not take the risk as seriously as we should. Now more than ever, service providers need to follow good hygiene procedures.

TOO MUCH SOAP?

One specific question I’ve received about system impacts is whether we should be concerned about increased use of antibacterial soaps — washes and wipes — and whether they can impact the biology of our septic systems, resulting in less bacterial breakdown in sewage tanks; increased solids, with some of those solids carrying over to the drainfield and causing increased biomat development; and potential failure. The short answer to the question is: yes, it is something to be concerned about.

Typically when I discuss antimicrobial products and cleaners, I have mentioned that normal household use is not a problem. Situations where service providers have indicated there are problems with use are in households where excessive cleaning or cleaners have been used. Examples are when there is an illness in the family or cleaning is done once or twice a week where larger amounts of products are used to clean and disinfect areas of the house such as kitchens and bathrooms.

Based on my household of two and what I have seen from various sources, use of these products has increased dramatically. Of course overall product usage in some cases has been limited due to supply problems, but certainly use of sanitizers and cleaners has increased, as we have all been encouraged to wipe groceries, packages and countertops, often several times a day, along with washing hands, washing hands, washing hands!

If you add the fact that, for at least a month or two, everyone in the household actually has had to stay at home or be in the home, it’s all day, every day! Where water use during the week had been determined by work and school patterns, now the kids — and often parents — are home all the time, so there is the potential for increased water use.

FREQUENT MEAL PREP

One area of concern beyond the use of antimicrobial products is the increase in preparing meals at home. I recall reading articles stating that before the pandemic, we ate out as much as 40% of the time. While all the food preparation may not have come into the house now, these activities are the kind that increase water use and add more solids to the septic tank.

In addition, increased use of wipes and how they are disposed of is a well-documented problem in municipal systems; but they are at least as big of a problem for our systems. While I have seen various companies highlight not to flush their wipes — with a warning even on some packages — a few weeks ago I was in a dollar store and there were packages of wipes carrying the message “suitable for flushing.” Continuing education efforts with your clientele not to flush wipes remains an important activity.

Potential problems for your customers will show up in the septic tank first. This is actually a positive because if you are visiting your customers and evaluating conditions inside the tank, you can identify problems and work with the homeowners to change behavior before the system is compromised.

If a tank doesn’t have three distinct layers — floating scum, clear zone and sludge — it is time to talk with your customer about the use of products or medicines that could upset the system. If there are numerous wipes clogging the inlet, effluent screen or outlet, that is the education moment to change where they put those wipes. If there is rapid buildup of solids in the tank due to cooking procedures, you can get them on a more frequent cleaning/pumping schedule.

The bottom line for me? I expect you will see many households during these times showing increased water use and will find the need to educate users about the finite capacity of their system. The message is clear: Conserve water wherever possible. You can expect to see increased solids in the tanks, building a need for additional maintenance. To forestall future problems, now is the time to work with your customers to get on a regular inspection schedule and ensure potential problems are identified before they become major problems.