Written by Karen Balduini

How many homeowners with an on-site septic system think about their septic systems each time they flush a toilet, run the dishwasher, or start a load of laundry? Unless they are having active back-ups in their system, a reasonable guess is not many, but regular maintenance is one of the keys to a properly functioning septic system. For conventional septic system owners, regular maintenance is as simple as cleaning the effluent filter a few times a year, and having the septic tank pumped every few years. But for homeowner’s with Advanced Treatment Systems (often called aerobic septic systems or ATU systems), regular maintenance is more detailed oriented, and a job best left to professionals.

Bernalillo County Natural Resource services requires all advanced treatment systems to have ongoing maintenance events with a certified maintenance provider. This ongoing maintenance and monitoring must occur semi-annually at a minimum and include the monitoring of dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, sludge depth, other parameters recommended by the manufacturer, as well as sampling if the system does not conform to the manufacturer’s guidelines, a lack of established manufacturer’s field parameters, of if the system has been determined to not be operating properly.

The electrical components are also checked during these maintenance events to ensure that mechanical and electrical components of the aerators are functioning properly.

All these monitoring and maintenance parameters are important to quality of effluent produced, which decreases the environmental impact septic systems can have on ground water. In addition to the environmental benefits, homeowner’s also gain several benefits from having regular maintenance on their septic system by a certified maintenance provider.

Small problems are often found during these maintenance events which prevents the small problems from becoming large, costly problems down the road. A properly maintained septic system reduces sewage backups that can occur in the systems, properly maintained septic systems typically have a longer lifespan than septic systems that are not maintained regularly, reducing the cost to the homeowner, and the value of the home and the neighborhood are both increased with a functioning septic system.

Click here to find a list of Certified Maintenance Providers for your area.