[geeks] Why?

[Tim H.]

On Wed, 31 Jul 2002 08:15:09 -0700
"Fogg, James" <JFogg at vicinity.com> wrote:

> If you crush the sand/gravel the water won't settle into the earth and
> you have a problem. You also have a problem if you don't pump the tank
> occationally and let solids (poop) flow into the field. That is also
> why garbage disposals are a bad idea for a septic-equiped house.

Actually, having never experienced city sewers, garbage disposals and
such are fine on a septic tank.  The secret is maintaining healthy
bacteria in the tank.  There is not much in human waste that doesn't
break down quite thoroughly, and vegetable matter just helps feed the
bacteria.  You are a lot better off if you can dump grey water (all the
drains except toilets and garbage disposals) into a normal drywell,
which many codes do allow.  That way all the detergents and stuff don't
kill your friendly bugs.

What really does in a leach field is when ex-owner of property never
bothers to mention that he broke the pipe fairly close to the beginning
of the leach field with his garden tractor, and when you do a couple
loads of wash the front yard runs.  And yes, they are pricey, and so
when I do a couple loads of wash my front yard runs.

Tim