How to Protect Your Farm's Septic Tank During a Storm
Are you a farmer in one of Australia's rainy cities who's thinking of getting a septic tank installed? Do you already have a septic tank that flooded last time there was a storm? Or perhaps you're just a tank owner who wants to prevent a disaster before it happens. Whatever the case, knowing how to protect your farm's septic tank from the heavy rains of a storm can come in handy. Here are three ways to reduce the risk of your tank flooding next time the weather gets bad.
Keep It Maintained at All Times
A septic tank can flood during a storm no matter what condition it's in, but it's much more likely to happen if the tank is in need of maintenance. It may sound obvious, but many agriculturalists forget how important it is to keep a septic tank in good shape until it's too late. Regular pumping is essential, but your version of 'regular' will depend on the size of your tank and how much use it's getting. You may need to talk to a professional to find out the best schedule for you. You'll also need to inspect your tank at least once a year (or pay someone to do so) so you can spot any damage early enough to fix it. The same goes for best practices after a storm—pump the tank if necessary and inspect it for any problems.
Keep Your Tractor Off the Drainfield
Another thing you should always do, no matter what the weather, is avoid driving your tractor (or any other heavy farming equipment) over the drainfield. The pressure can compact the soil, and compacted soil is far less absorbent and a lot less effective at treating the effluent. If your drainfield soil gets compacted before a storm, you could easily end up with overflow and flooding next time there's heavy rain.
Keep Water Use to a Minimum
Preparation goes a long way in protecting your septic tank from heavy rain, but you need to be cautious during the storm too. While it's raining heavily, it's a good idea to keep your water use to a minimum. This is especially important if you have a small tank, you can already see some flooding on your drainfield or your drains aren't emptying as normal. Ways to keep water usage down may include avoiding use of livestock wash stalls until after the storm and being conservative when washing in your farmhouse.