Draining saltwater into a septic system

[skyking]

Mornin'!
Laying here in bed going over how to plumb my new 150 and started wondering if theres going to be any issues or problems with draining used saltwater into my septic field when I do my water changes. Any of you have any experience or input?

 

[ripped tide]

you'll be fine.

Bleach, laundry detergent, dish soaps, etc are way more damaging than a little NaCl

 

[nsconductor]

ripped tide;830942 wrote: you'll be fine.

Bleach, laundry detergent, dish soaps, etc are way more damaging than a little nacl

+1

 

[heathlindner25]

what about overloading the septic with too much water? maybe I was only thinking about my circumstance but I've been known to change a lot of water!!!

 

[ralph atl]

heathlindner25;830944 wrote: what about overloading the septic with too much water? maybe I was only thinking about my circumstance but I've been known to change a lot of water!!!

it depends upon the system, but yes, eventually it could "overwhelm" the system.

 

[silver surfer]

I'm on septic and put over 50 gallons of saltwater down the drain every week. No problems yet.

 

[heathlindner25]

Silver Surfer;830947 wrote: I'm on septic and put over 50 gallons of saltwater down the drain every week. No problems yet.

well this is good to know! how old is your house? have you ever had to drain your system? do you add rid-x?

 

[ichthyoid]

The sodium can cause the clay in the septic system drain field to 'block' up.

Better if you don't do it. Repair will set you back $3-5k.

By the time you notice a problem, it's too late.

Water softeners will do the same thing.

I strongly urge you not do this.

 

[rdnelson]

Rid-X is the key. Adding it now and then helps maintain the bacteria that does all the work. The amount of water depends on how well the drain field was installed and what the soil conditions are around it. If the soil is porous, the water will disperse well and you will have not problem, if it doesn't accept water well, you could have a problem but I think it would be a remote chance.

 

[ichthyoid]

Rich, fwiw-
I have researched septic systems, thoroughly. Several universities have researched additives and said they are unnecessary. The human gut produces prodigious amounts of the strains of bacteria needed.

I do add organic carbon periodically. Yep, I carbon dose my septic tank. Sugar or vinegar works. Calcium acetate is especially good, as the calcium is needed by bacteria, and also keeps the clay in the drainfield open. I'm not wasting the money on vodka. Feel free to look into it

 

[rdnelson]

ichthyoid;830964 wrote: Rich, fwiw-
I have researched septic systems, thoroughly. Several universities have researched additives and said they are unnecessary. The human gut produces prodigious amounts of the strains of bacteria needed.

I do add organic carbon periodically. Yep, I carbon dose my septic tank. Sugar or vinegar works. I'm not wasting the money on vodka. Feel free to look into it

Good info. Although, isn't sugar more expensive than Rid-X. LOL. Do you use white vinegar?

 

[jef4y]

It really depends on your septic system.

The big issue would be overloading it, but considering that you're not likely putting more water into it than if you did a few loads of laundry, you're going to be fine.

Tank water is very close in salinity and pH to urine, so it's like taking a massive pee into the tank. As mentioned, bleach, detergents and oils do far more damage than tank water will.

However, if you're out somewhere that you have septic, another thing you can do with the drain water is pour it on weeds. That is what I did when I was in the country on septic. I used the drain water to control the weeds by my hottub. Worked great!

Edit:

ichthyoid;830964 wrote: Rich, fwiw-
I have researched septic systems, thoroughly. Several universities have researched additives and said they are unnecessary. The human gut produces prodigious amounts of the strains of bacteria needed.

I wouldn't outright argue you, but would say that at a minimum, this is debatable. While the human gut does produce plenty of bacteria, the human BEING dumps far more stuff into a septic than they should.

 

[ichthyoid]

Yep white vinegar will do. Mix a teaspoon of Mrs. Wages with a glass of vinegar to make calcium acetate and add weekly.

Last time I had my tank pumped (10 years ago) the guy told me 'you don't need to pump your tank every year'. We had then been in the house 10 years, with 4 people (3 of them women

I guess it's due again.

 

[jef4y]

I pumped mine every other year just to make sure everything was running well. We were in rock country, surrounded by quarrys, so the drainage was fantastic. Never had any problems with it, but followed the simple rule of "if it doesn't come from you, don't flush it or run it down the drain". No garbage disposal, NEVER any fem products, no grease, and very very little bleach.

 

[ichthyoid]

Jeff, you won't be arguing with me. Go to the University of Minnesota site and look it up for yourself.

I generally state things based on what I know as fact. Otherwise I will clarify.

I looked into septic systems initially out of curiosity, then as a business opportunity.

FWIW-
There are more bacteria in the human GI tract than there are cells in the human body. Go look that up too.

I sell GI scopes for the #1 manufacturer worldwide.

I know WAY more about the human GI tract than most want to know.

 

[au alum]

JeF4y;830971 wrote: I pumped mine every other year just to make sure everything was running well. We were in rock country, surrounded by quarrys, so the drainage was fantastic. Never had any problems with it, but followed the simple rule of "if it doesn't come from you, don't flush it or run it down the drain". No garbage disposal, NEVER any fem products, no grease, and very very little bleach.

What about TP?

 

[jef4y]

ichthyoid;830975 wrote: Jeff, you won't be arguing with me. Go to the University of Minnesota site and look it up for yourself.

Just wondering if they took all the other stuff into account in the study.

Edit:

au alum;830976 wrote: What about TP?

Yeah, we didn't go full-on 3rd world plumbing (put it in the trash can). But did use Scott 1-ply. (Still do).

 

[picoreefguy]

I'm with bill on this one I wouldn't drain it into your septic tank. I'd be worried about all that salt building up think about it most of us go through a bucket of salt every 3 to 6 months for a small system and the only place it has to go is your leach field and on top of blocking it off all that salt can't be good for plants. imagine dumping a bucket of salt on your garden every 3 to 6 months it probably wouldn't make your plants very happy

 

[ichthyoid]

Jeff, you are quite correct about limiting 'other' solids and chemicals.

-NO garbage disposal (ask my wife

-NO fem products

-NO grease or oils (they won't break down)

-limit bleach, antibiotics, solvents, etc.

Sodium is the very reason Georgia clay is so hard when dry, and turns to goo when wet. Sodium is a monovalent (meaning 1) ion.

Divalent (meaning 2) ions such as especially calcium, allows for soil building and agglomeration. It is for this reason we are encouraged to 'lime' the soil. Problem is, CaCO3 is very insoluble, as we reefers know all too well.

I have an organic calcium product which performs miracles on Georgia clay, in one growing season.

 

[heathlindner25]

lots of good info