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Advice on Maintaining Your Septic System

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Why does a septic tank need to be pumped? Doesn't the bacterial action take care of the waste?

In Alaska, tanks need to be pumped more often than in warmer climates since they are generally buried deeper. Since bacterial action works best in above 60 degree temperatures, and the temperature below ground here averages about 47 degrees, solids accumulate faster and decrease the ability of the system to move the water into the leachfield at an acceptable rate. Additionally, we are using chemicals and chlorine in greater amounts than even 20 years ago which destroys the natural bacterial action in the tank. Periodic and proper pumping will remove this accumulation allowing the septic to perform effectively.