Out of Sight, Out of Mind?
If you live outside a city sewer grid, chances are your home relies on a septic system. In Canada, about 15% of households use septic tanks, most often in rural areas, small towns, or cottages. They’re buried out back, working 24/7, and most people barely think about them… until there’s a problem.
The Basics: What a Septic System Does
Every sink, toilet, tub, and laundry drain flows into a large underground tank (usually 1,000+ gallons, made from concrete, fiberglass, or plastic). Inside the tank, waste naturally separates into three layers:
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Sludge – heavy solids sink to the bottom.
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Effluent – liquid and fine particles in the middle.
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Scum – fats, oils, and grease floating on top.
Bacteria inside the tank quietly break down organic waste. Once liquid levels rise high enough, effluent flows into a leaching bed, a series of perforated pipes laid in gravel and soil. Here, microbes, sand, and soil filter the water before it safely returns to the groundwater table.
Canadian Rules & Safeguards
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Since 2007 in Ontario and some other provinces, septic tanks must include an effluent filter to keep solids from clogging the drain field.
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In BC, only a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP) can design or make changes to your system. Homeowners are responsible for ongoing maintenance and record-keeping.
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Advanced systems, like aerobic treatment units or biofilters, may be required in tricky soil conditions, steep slopes, or tight lots.
What You Should Never Flush
Your septic tank is designed for human waste and toilet paper only. Everything else risks clogging pipes or killing the good bacteria that make the system work.
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❌ Grease, fats, and oils
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❌ Wipes, paper towels, feminine products
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❌ Dental floss, kitty litter, coffee grounds
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❌ Paints, solvents, household chemicals
Put the wrong stuff in, and the tank can back up, the leach field can clog, and you’ll be looking at an expensive pump-out or even full replacement.
Routine Maintenance in Canada
Septic systems are simple, but they’re not “set and forget.” To keep yours healthy:
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Pump it out every 3–5 years (frequency depends on household size and use).
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Check the filter regularly if your system has one.
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Use septic-safe cleaners, harsh chemicals kill bacteria.
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Spread out water use, avoid running laundry, dishwasher, and showers all at once.
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Protect the leach field, never drive, park, or build on it.
Enzyme Additives: Helpful or Hype?
Some homeowners use store-bought enzymes to “boost” bacteria. A little can help, especially after a big influx of grease, but too much is counterproductive. Think of it as a supplement, not a fix. No additive replaces pumping when the solids build up.
When to Call the Pros
A well-cared-for septic tank can run 5–10 years with barely a thought. But if drains start slowing, you notice odours, or the ground above your leach field is soggy, it’s time for a professional inspection. Pumping, filter checks, and system upgrades should be handled by licensed experts.
