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Septic Systems
Contact Us

Septic System Care and Maintenance

Cleaning out septic tank

One in five U.S. homes have septic systems. Yours may be one of them. If your septic system is not properly maintained you may be risking your family’s health, hurting the environment, and flushing thousands of dollars down the drain.

Learn how septic systems work and get simple, everyday tips on how to properly maintain them:

  • How to care for your septic system – Septic system maintenance is not complicated, and it does not need to be expensive. Follow these maintenance tips to keep your system operating reliably.
  • Why maintain your septic system – Learn the benefits to keeping a properly maintained septic system.
  • How to resolve septic system malfunctions – Learn why septic systems malfunction and whom to contact if it happens to you.
  • How septic systems impact water sources - Learn how septic systems interact with drinking water wells or surface water bodies and how to keep them healthy.
  • Septic Systems Home
  • About Septic Systems
  • Care and Maintenance
    • How to Care for Your Septic System
    • Why Maintain Your Septic System
    • Resolving Septic System Malfunctions
    • Septic System Impacts on Water Sources
  • Funding
  • SepticSmart
  • Decentralized Wastewater Partnership
  • Additional Resources
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on August 20, 2022
United States Environmental Protection Agency

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