CASPER, Wyo. — Additional water from Natrona County’s unusually stormy summer could have a negative impact on septic systems.
According to a press release put out by the Natrona County Health Department, too much water on your septic system’s drainfield may cause it to overload and may slow down or stop your wastewater treatment. If this occurs, you may risk septic waste backing up into your home.
Here is some advice regarding septic systems:
- Do your best not to use your septic system during a flood. If your drainfield or mound is underwater, you should stop all use of your system.
- Turn off the electricity to your septic system if your system uses pumps.
- If floodwater enters your home, do not pump it into your sinks or toilets.
- Do not use your septic system until flood water on your drainfield has receded below your home’s level.
- Do not use the septic system until a professional properly inspects it. If your tank has filled with soil and sediments, you do not want to encourage their movement out of your tank and into the perforated pipe in your drainfield. They can lead to significant clogs and further problems.
- Once floodwaters have receded, you should get your tank pumped to remove sediments that may have filled the system. An empty tank may still pop out of the ground, so if the ground is still saturated more than usual, you may want to refill your tank with clean water.
- If you have a private well or spring, do not drink your water until you can get it tested for contaminants from your septic system, such as E. coli bacteria and nitrates.
- Additional information on managing your septic system during a flood is available from the U.S. EPA publication at https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/septic-systems-what-do-after-flood.
For more information regarding the septic system permit for your property, contact the Casper-Natrona County Health Department Environmental Health Division at 577-9752.
