Why Maintain Your System?  There are three main reasons why septic system maintenance is so important. The first reason is money. Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace, and improper maintenance by homeowners is a common cause of early system  failure. The minimal amount of preventative maintenance that septic systems require costs very little in comparison to the cost of a new system. For example, it typically costs from $3,000 to $10,000 to replace a failing septic system, compared to $100 to $300 average per year costs to have a septic system routinely pumped and inspected.

The second and most important reason to properly maintain your system is the health of your family, your community, and the environment. When septic systems fail, inadequately treated household wastewater is released into the environment. Any contact with untreated human waste can pose a significant risk to public health. Untreated wastewater from failing septic systems can contaminate nearby wells, groundwater, and drinking water sources. Chemicals improperly disposed of through a septic system also can pollute local water  sources and can contribute to early system failures. For this reason it is important for homeowners to educate themselves about what can and what cannot be disposed of through a septic system.

A third reason to maintain your septic system is to maintain the economic health of your  community. Failing septic systems can cause property values to decline. Sometimes  building permits cannot be issued for these properties. Also, failing septic systems may  contribute to the pollution of local rivers, lakes, and shoreline that your community uses for commercial or recreational activities.