Hi There, we have just built a house and new septic system. After about 5 months of use, a gallon of bleach was dumped down the drain and into the septic system. The septic tank capacity is 6,750 litres and the leaching bed is 16 metres by 7.5 metres. Has this done damage to the system that requires attention. If so, what action would be best to take? Thank you.

Here is some absolutely useful information on septic tanks, covering all do's and don'ts. This website also addressed the bleach problem.

Alsnetbiz.com/homeimprovement/septic.html

Bleach will not damage your system but it may temporarily slow the Anaerobic digestion which takes place in the tank and the field. Normal human waste will over come that amount of bleach in a day or two.

So basically you dumped 4 liters into 6750 liters. And of the 4 liters, only.2 liters is active-5%-the rest being water. So, 2/6750 is a very small amount. Can't imagine a problem with such a small ratio.

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Originally Posted by ma0641

So basically you dumped 4 liters into 6750 liters. And of the 4 liters, only.2 liters is active-5%-the rest being water. So, .2/6750 is a very small amount. Can't imagine a problem with such a small ratio.

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I am glad you came up with the ratio, ma, I couldn't, but city people moving to the country and having a new septic system are not educated on do's and dont's. A lot of bleach will interrupt a delicate balance in the septic system and destroy the sensitive organic bacteria needed to break down human waste. Ergo, a very smelly, unbalanced situation.

I lived on a farm in Michigan, so am extremely aware of the pit falls of not attendening a septic system the proper way. I used to through a piece of liver down the toilet from time to time to maintain the balance. Whatever happened was beneficial and never had to have a lot of pumping of the septic field done.

Tick

I have heard of folks flushing a dead mouse and other decaying flesh. I am certain solid human waste has more bacteria than necessary to keep a septic cooking. Tank should be pumped every 5-10 years depending on how large the tank is and the number of people in the home.

Dead mice and liver, yummy! Sounds like an urban legend. Maybe "Mythbusters" would like to try this one! Bacteria that live on dead animals are aerobic and septic systems are anaerobic so I'm not sure dead mice do anything. Next time I have to crawl inside my Infiltrator system I'll check. Brian