Is saltwater OK for septic system?
- Thread starter kmc
- Start date
scsinet
Active Member
I don't pour my tank water into my tank or drain my RODI waste into it. I dump seawater into the ground under my deck and the RODI just drains into the yard.
There are a few reasons not to dump tank products into the tank.
1. Load. Granted, I end up between RODI waste and used tank water I go through at least 100 gallons per week, but there isn't any reason to pour that stuff down and loading down your system.
2. Salt. The salt won't break down out of your waste water, so it'll end up in the drain field. This can kill the lawn above the drain field, and it's possible that it could affect the bacteria in the tank. However, there have been studies done on this that say it won't hurt. Many people with septic tanks also have water softeners, which discharge large amounts of salt into the septic tank during backwashing. Apparently this does not harm the tanks, so theoretically, seawater won't, but why risk it? Contrary to manufacturer claims, the bacterial supplements for septics systems (Rid-X for example) do not work and in many cases they cause more harm than good.
... if you only have a small amount I doubt it will hurt anything, but the risks are listed above nonetheless.
There are a few reasons not to dump tank products into the tank.
1. Load. Granted, I end up between RODI waste and used tank water I go through at least 100 gallons per week, but there isn't any reason to pour that stuff down and loading down your system.
2. Salt. The salt won't break down out of your waste water, so it'll end up in the drain field. This can kill the lawn above the drain field, and it's possible that it could affect the bacteria in the tank. However, there have been studies done on this that say it won't hurt. Many people with septic tanks also have water softeners, which discharge large amounts of salt into the septic tank during backwashing. Apparently this does not harm the tanks, so theoretically, seawater won't, but why risk it? Contrary to manufacturer claims, the bacterial supplements for septics systems (Rid-X for example) do not work and in many cases they cause more harm than good.
... if you only have a small amount I doubt it will hurt anything, but the risks are listed above nonetheless.
redlinedcj
New Member
Interesting topic but i would think the other things you pour down your drain would cause a bigger difference when compared to the salt water. like Bleach, lots of soaps, laundry, dish, and everything from the shower. Tons of cleaning supplies , stuff for moping the floors, tilex from the shower, toilet bowl cleaner, etc. I really don't think that salt water would make much difference when compared to those other things even if your going through 50 gallons a month.
chipmaker
Active Member
Been dumpiung salt water iun m y septic tank for years on end and have not had any problems. matter of fact it helps to keep tree roots and other noxiou8s root systems from encroaching into the tank and leech fields...Prior to my dumping salt water into the septic system, I could usually count on root problems every now and then from my numerous trees, now I don't. Then I started to think, well it may do some damage to my trees, but was told to not worry as roots will not go where its not suitable for them, so that statement is correct as in all these years (20+) I have yet to have one tihing up and die or a system fail from dumping salt water into the septic tank..its really been most beneficial overall.
