Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek proclaimed Sept. 15-19 to be SepticSmart Week this year, adding to the national awareness campaign to bring attention to the importance of septic system care and maintenance for public health and safety.
“By making efforts to educate the public about septic systems and onsite wastewater Oregonians can achieve the highest possible standard of safe, sanitary and environmentally sound onsite wastewater service,” reads part of Kotek’s Aug. 18 proclamation.
DEQ is taking part in the national campaign and spreading SepticSmart Tips. Our septic DO’s and DON’Ts underscore the messages of the week.
SepticSmart Week has been around since 2013, so this year marks its 13th anniversary. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched the annual event to help homeowners, communities, and local governments understand the importance of maintaining septic systems.
The EPA offers these tips to be #SepticSmart:
- Think at the Sink!
Learn what not to put down your kitchen sink (such as fats, oils, or greases), properly dispose of food waste and how to use cleaning supplies in moderation. - Keep It Clean! Don’t Strain Your Drain!
Learn about the importance of testing your well water, and its relationship to your septic system. - Shield Your Field!
Learn about your septic system’s drainfield, including how it works, and tips to take care of it. - Protect It and Inspect It!
Learn about a typical septic system inspection, how often an inspection should be performed and considerations for advanced systems. - Don’t Overload the Commode!
Learn about what can be flushed down the toilet, and what should be thrown in the trash. - Pump Your Tank!
Learn about a typical septic tank pump-out service, and how a septic tank works.
Learn more at EPA’s SepticSmart web page.
– Dylan Darling, public affairs specialist