Keep our lakes clean with these simple SEPTIC TIPS

FACT: The more efficiently your Septic System operates, the less pollution goes into the environment. The 2 secrets to septic health and minimizing lake pollution are: Time and Bacteria

Bacteria – Never let anything go down the drain that kills the good bacteria in your system, like:

1. Bleach – non-chlorine bleach is ok
2. Anti-Bacterial Products – ban them from your house and cottage!
3. Dishwasher Detergent containing bleach (most brands do!)
   Only ONE load of dishes using a regular detergent can kill ALL the good bacteria in your system for up to 70 hours – Use Septic Friendly Products available at The Organic Times in Minden & other local retailers (look for a statement on the front of the package stating no bleach & no phosphates)
4. Dishwasher Rinse Aids – use lemon juice instead
5. Cream Cleansers – most have bleach (see 1.)
6. Drain Cleaners – use Eco Ethic Septic Treatment instead (more detail on reverse side)
7. Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaners – blue is not green

• If soap, toilet paper or grease (bacon & eggs anyone?) get down your drain or anyone in the house is on antibiotics – use ecoethic Septic Treatment once a month to provide your system with the correct bacteria and enzymes to digest these items
• If your system is sometimes not used for months at a time -when you arrive back the 1st thing you should do is flush 2 cups of Eco Ethic Septic Treatment down your drain to kick start your system
• Never use a garburator

Time – Your system needs as much time as you can give it to digest the waste you put in before the next load of water arrives. Remember – one drop in = one drop out of your system. Give your system time by Minimizing Water Use and Spreading It Out Over Time.

• Cut your household water use by 27% by installing a Water Matrix – Proficiency, 3 litre flush toilet. These toilets are tested and recommended by the C.H.A. and are available at local Timber Marts.
• Try not to do any more than 1 load of laundry per day
• Keep showers short and use a low flow shower head
• Use every opportunity to use less water when doing regular activities
• Get a licensed septic pumper to pump out and inspect both sides of your tank every 3-5 years.

For great entertainment and more info watch the “Poop Talk” Lake Protectors Video at www.cohpoa.org

The C.H.A. – is a Haliburton based non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the lakes in Haliburton County.

Did you know? Septic Systems Are The Single Largest Polluter Of Our Lakes. All systems pollute, but those not working well pollute much more. Use Eco Ethic Septic Treatment & The Septic Tips on the reverse side to keep your system performing well and protect your lake!

Q. Is it true our Septics don’t need added bacteria – our guts give them what they need?

A. As long as you only put human waste – no soap, grease or toilet paper- down your toilet and drains that is correct. But – if like most of us, you do dishes having any grease on them, use soap & toilet paper-your system and your lake will benefit from monthly use of Eco Ethic Septic Treatment

Regular use of Eco Ethic Septic Treatment will help keep your septic system performing well.

Price – $5 a month ($65 plus HST for a year’s supply) to protect your lake and one of your largest investments – your septic system and tile bed.

Available at Organic Times, 134 Bobcaygeon Rd., Minden and Northern Expressions, 13588 Hwy #118, Haliburton

Benefit – These retailers are CHA Lake Protectors Partners. Our Lake Protectors Partners contribute 100% of the net proceeds of this product’s sales to environmental projects to protect our lakes in Haliburton County.

The Details – A septic system functions on the principal of digestion of organic materials by bacteria. In the septic tank enzymes break the bonds of compounds, resulting in a simple food that bacteria then metabolize, converting waste into mostly water, carbon dioxide, mineral ash and more bacteria. Clean, clear effluent then flows out of the tank and into the tile bed (leaching field) where the effluent percolates into the soil. The more efficient the system operates the less pollution goes into the environment. The more bacteriological activity in the septic tank the better the effluent.

Any product that has any warning symbols or hazardous ingredient warnings should generally be avoided.

To Unclog Drains

• Add 1 tablespoon of ecoethic Septic Treatment mixed in a cup of warm water – leave overnight
• or Use 1 cup baking soda followed by 3 cups boiling water

ecoethic Septic Treatment – available at Organic Times in Minden & Northern Expressions Haliburton