“Is it OK to flush my kid’s dead goldfish down the toilet?“
Here at Beeler, we are regularly asked a variation of this question by people who live with the use of a septic system. Of course, it’s rarely about a goldfish. It’s usually about garbage disposal grindings or so called flushable wipes.
The truth is, most of us have been flushing things like Q-Tips and match sticks since we were kids. When on city sewer, it feels like it’s not a big deal as long as it doesn’t plug the toilet. But life with a septic tank and drainfield is a bit different.
While it may seem like a simple concept to have a septic tank in the yard to catch all of our waste water, a little research shows that there is some science behind it. Things like, the size of the septic tank, the height of septic tank baffles, and the length of a septic drain field are all calculated to perform well for a home’s size and property’s soil profile. They are designed to maintain a delicate PH balance. These levels facilitate the decomposition of the solid waste that is in the septic tank.
We aren’t suggesting that anyone go out and buy PH strips or a PH meter. But, there is much you can do to contribute to the health of your septic system. Part of that is by being careful about what is introduced into the septic tank.
Here is a list of the types of things that should not be flushed down a toilet or washed down a sink drain:
- Food Scraps
- Garbage Disposal Waste
- Coffee Grounds
- Grease
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Condoms
- Dental Floss
- Paint
- Chemicals
- Diapers
- Cigarette Butts
- Cat Litter
- Paper Towels
- Wet Wipes
- “Flushable” Wipes
- Medications
Sharing this information with other members of your household will help as well.
If there is something not listed here that you have a question about, you can visit https://www.epa.gov/septic/septicsmart or call us at 541-660-2953 to have a conversation with a local septic professional.
Happy flushing!