Septic and Sewer Systems
Regular maintenance of your sewer connection or onsite septic system helps extend its life and reduce the likelihood of failure. Failed systems pollute groundwater, lakes, ponds, and streams with bacteria and nutrients that drive cyanobacteria blooms. The following practices extend the life of your system and help protect water quality.
Homes With a Septic System
Septic systems are contributing 8% of all phosphorus pollution in the Lake Sunapee Watershed. Regular maintenance prevents this pollution.
Have your septic system pumped at least once every 3 years. For a list of septic companies servicing the Lake Sunapee Watershed, see the list at the bottom of our main Septic page.
Protect your leach field. Keep the leach field clear of trees and shrubs and avoid driving on it to prevent damage to the system.
Flush only toilet paper and human waste. Don’t use your toilet as a trash can. Even disposable items can harm the system. See DES’ What’s Flushable brochure.
Limit what goes down the drain. Don’t dispose of grease, food waste, chemicals or paint down the drain and avoid using a garbage disposal. These materials can prevent the system from operating properly.
Practice indoor water conservation. Fix leaks, install low-flow fixtures, and use water-efficient appliances to minimize stress to your system, and avoid simultaneous operation of appliances like the dishwasher, washing machine, and shower.
Have your septic system fully inspected at least every 10 years or if you observe any symptoms of concern, and act on any follow-up recommendations in the inspection report.
A full inspection usually includes steps like checking the tank, inlet & outlet baffles, distribution box (if applicable) and leach field.
Symptoms of concern include:
Slow drains
Sewage backup
Gurgling pipes
Sewage odors indoors or outside near your tank or leach field
Standing water or soggy ground near your leach field
Lush green grass near your leach field or septic tank
Photo: NHDES
Photo: EPA
For more information about septic system ordinances in the Lake Sunapee Watershed, as well as what LSPA and partners are doing to promote best practices, see the main Septic page. EPA also has a page explaining how to care for your septic system.
For more information about the age of your home’s septic system, contact your town’s health officer. A well-maintained septic system can often last 30 to 40 years before needing major work or replacement.
Homes on Town Sewer
Did you know that, as a landowner, you are responsible for the maintenance of all components on your property including any pumps, valves and pipes that connect to the town sewer line? A well cared for sewer system prevents unplanned costly repairs, expensive clean up fees, sewage backups and basement leaks and spills that can lead to the pollution of a nearby lake, pond or stream.
How to Take Care of Your Sewer Pump System Responsibly:
Hire a professional every 5 years to:
Clean the grinder pump and chamber to remove built-up grease, which clogs pipes and reduces chamber holding capacity.
Test grinder pump operation and chamber high-level alarm system to make sure they are operating correctly.
Inspect the condition of the pump chamber cover to make sure it is preventing water and grit from entering the tank. Grit dulls the grinder blade, and additional water overworks the pump system.
If your high-level pump chamber alarm doesn’t currently notify you on your phone, hire a professional to upgrade the alarm to alert you of a possible pump failure or basement spill. If upgrading the alarm system is not feasible or prohibitively expensive, consider installing a moisture sensor alarm system in your basement that alerts you on your phone when triggered.
Consider replacing the grinder pump if it’s over 25 years old to avoid a sudden unplanned failure of your system.
Consider installing a one-way (check) valve as close to the town pressure main as possible for added sewer leak protection. Coordinate installation with the Sunapee Water & Sewer Department
Make sure there is no woody vegetation growing on top or near the pump chamber to prevent roots from hindering access to the cover.
Flush only toilet paper and human waste. Don’t flush wipes, hygiene products or paper towels, even if they claim to be flushable.
Limit what goes down the drain. Don’t dispose of grease, food waste, chemicals or paint down the drain. Limit use of garbage disposal as the treatment system is primarily designed to treat human waste, not food scraps.
For a list of sewer service professionals and for more information, please visit the Sewer System page on the website.