Reminders 

Wildfire & Septic Systems

Wildfire season in Washington typically runs from July through October. Many people do not know that their septic system is one thing that can be affected by a wildfire. If fire reaches your property, keep in mind that components like control panels, riser lids, and drainfields can get damaged by fallen debris or excessive heat. For information on what to do with your septic system before, during, and after a wildfire, see the fire guidance checklist from the National Environmental Health Association. 

Questions from the community

"Should i use a garbage disposal?"

No. Garbage disposals grind food into tiny pieces which can cause clogs in your system. More food going down the drain also means more frequent pumping. Using a sink strainer is great alternative to catch food before it goes down the drain. Food scraps from your strainer can go in your compost bin or garbage. Also, depending on what you just cooked, these scraps can make a yummy treat for backyard chickens. 

"Can I dethatch the grass over my drainfield?' 

Dethatching is the process of removing the layer of organic matter, dead grass, and other debris (collectively called thatch) that has built up on top of the soil. Whether or not you should dethatch over your drainfield depends on your type of system and how deep it was installed. Some systems can be installed as shallow as 6", in which case dethatching could cause damage. You'll want to verify the depth of your drainfield before starting any work. We recommend that you only remove the organic material, not the soil, and avoid altering the grade of your lawn. Also, reseeding the area with grass after dethatching is important to keep the soil healthy and prevent erosion. Watering over the drainfield isn't advised, so if you're worried new seeds may have a hard time establishing, you could wait to spread new seeds until rain is in the forecast. If you have a drip system, take extreme caution if you choose to dethatch due to their shallow depth.