How often is too often to cover the basics of septic system care with customers? Specifically what can and can’t be flushed...
Septic Tank Articles
Editorial
Florida Inspection Bill Is Watered Down; Jacksonville Reels From Septic Tragedy
When a Florida legislator introduced a bill in early 2017 to require point-of-sale inspections, part of the justification for the bill was...
Editorial
Advanced Treatment Units
System allows lighthouse to be converted into a bed-and-breakfast
Problem: When the lighthouse keeper’s house on Cuckolds Island in Maine was in use,...
Editorial
Pumpers on Cape Cod Must Adapt to New Technologies, Expansion of the Big Pipe
The Cape Cod peninsula in Massachusetts has seen tremendous changes since the 1950s when Robert Our Sr. worked as a commercial fisherman...
Editorial
Jacksonville, Florida, Officials Want Universal Design for Septic Lids After Child’s Death
The death of a 3-year-old boy in Florida sparked a TV news investigation of underground tank safety and promises from the mayor...
Online Exclusives
Amid Hurricanes, Proper Care of Flooded Septic Systems Is Paramount
Days after Hurricane Harvey left southeastern Texas and Louisiana’s Gulf Coast underwater, another powerful hurricane could collide with Florida this weekend. With...
Online Exclusives
Why Assisted Living Homes Present Unique Challenges
Adult foster homes provide assisted living services — including nursing and 24/7 care — for individuals requiring special medical and behavioral needs....
Online Exclusives
See This Tool for Servicing Long-Neglected Septic Tanks
Despite many pumpers’ best efforts to encourage residential customers to regularly pump their septic tanks, more often than not, that advice falls...
Online Exclusives
Septic Pumping Directly Affected by Household Water Habits
The Otter Tail Water Management District in Minnesota recently provided a unique study opportunity for the analysis of household practices and maintenance...
Online Exclusives
Replacing Failed Systems Is a Tough Job in New York’s Finger Lakes Region
Failing a septic inspection on Canandaigua Lake in upstate New York is a potential environmental emergency. Often only a retaining wall separates...
Online Exclusives
Pumper Searches for Owner of Lost Diamond Ring
Quality customer service often involves going above and beyond the call of duty, whether it’s taking the extra time to educate a...
Online Exclusives
How Temperature Impacts Onsite Wastewater Treatment
Treatment of sewage relies heavily on biological activity. Many factors affect digestion, including temperature, retention time and pH. Microbial activity doubles every...
Online Exclusives
Putting Down Roots With Chemical Treatment
Tree roots are like miniature excavators — they'll move anything they can to accomplish their task. In their endless search for water,...
Online Exclusives
Solving Septic Tank Access Issues
Over the years I have seen a lot of access problems associated with sewage tanks, including septic, pump and aerobic tanks. As...



















