4 Useful Things You Need to Support the Functioning of Your Waste Water System
A residential waste water treatment system is basically like a miniature waste water treatment plant that you install at your home. It performs the same function as a septic tank, but it features different internal mechanisms. In particular, it has electrical components (which septic tanks don't have).
For people living in remote areas or who don't want to be connected to a municipal sewer system, a home waste water system can be ideal. There's lots of small things that you may want to have around the house to help support the functioning of your system.
1. Drain Covers for Bathtubs and Showers
Waste water systems are designed to deal with greywater from washing and cooking as well as solid waste from the toilet, but they are not particularly designed to handle hair or other items. To keep your system as clean as possible, consider putting new drain covers over all your shower and bathtub drains.
Ideally, you want a cover with a small enough grid to block items from accidentally falling down the drain.
2. Strainer Drains for Kitchens
Although the system can handle a bit of food, too much can definitely start to overwhelm it and require the system to need more maintenance than usual. Because of that, you shouldn't use a garbage disposal with a septic tank or a waste water system. On top of that, you may want to get a strainer drain for your kitchen. Like a strainer or sieve, these drains catch particles of food before they get into the drain.
3. The Phone Number to Your Council
Ideally, you should never put turpentine, paint or similar hazardous items down your drain. With water-based paint, you can simply add some kitty litter or paint solidifier, and throw the old paint away, but with oil-based paint and hazardous items, you need to recycle them.
Most area's offer free pick up days, but you need to call your council to check on the day. In most cases, you can also get information on dropping off hazardous substances. Find the number for your area; it's useful to have on hand.
4. Rubbish Bin in the Toilet
If you don't already have a rubbish bin in your toilet, you need to get one. Waste water systems aren't designed to deal with tampons or other feminine hygiene products, diapers and the like. So that no one ever throws those items in the toilet, make sure there's a waste bin in your bathroom.