 What operation and maintenance are required? Maintenance of Wastewater Gardens is extremely easy and at almost no cost. There are no mechanical parts to be maintained or repaired, no chemicals to be added. Like any garden, this wetland system needs to be checked to be sure water levels are being maintained, and the plants to be pruned. The intake filter installed in septic tank need checking every 3 to 6 months and cleaning if necessary. The septic tank should be pumped out when solids fill more than half its depth - usually it is necessary every 10-15 years. Chemicals: normally, household chemicals (such as cleaning products) are heavily diluted by the time they reach the septic tank and will not cause serious problems for both septic tank and the Wastewater Garden. But the more aware householders are of avoiding using and especially flushing strong chemical-based products down drains that lead to the septic tank and the garden, the better such systems will operate since they are living systems. Sending fewer chemicals to the septic tank will ensure that the bacteria in the septic tank remain healthy. This will mean that the septic tank builds up solids more slowly, and will extend the time between when it needs to be pumped out. Tobacco, such as cigarette butts, should also not be flushed down the toilet as it is harmful to the natural bacteria that live in your septic tank.
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