The Marshall County Health Department (MCHD) is reminding the citizens of Marshall County to maintain their septic systems as part of SepticSmart Week, a national observance designed to educate homeowners and communities about the importance of caring for septic systems. Marshall County Commissioners have passed a proclamation declaring September 15- 21st SepticSmart Week in Marshall County. Marshall County Commissioners joined Governor Eric Holcomb in the weeklong observance.
The Marshall County Health Department and Marshall County Soil and Water are hosting a kickoff celebration in Marshall County on September 15, at the Plymouth Farmers Market in the River Park Square. The event will focus on celebrating the technology of septic systems and the professionals working in the field including septic installers, soil scientist and septic designers. All play a critical role in ensuring that Marshall County has effective, long lasting septic systems for the future. “Everyone will learn something and you will be glad you made it to our event and Celebration”, says Deb Palmer of Marshall County Soil and Water.
At the SepticSmart Celebration, a full size septic system will be on display. Indiana Onsite Wastewater Professionals (IOWPA) Past President LA Brown is bringing the display from Bluffton. Mr. Brown will be able to explain each component of the system and its function. AK Industries of Marshall County will have one of their tanks as part of this display. AK Industries is a manufacturing plant in Marshall County that manufactures polyethylene septic tanks for septic tanks all over the Nation.
Denise Wright from the Indiana State Department of Health along with Christine Stinson of the Marshall County Health Department will be speaking throughout the celebration discussing Do’s and don’ts for living on a septic system and proper maintenance for the system.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than one in five households in the United States (60 million people) depend on septic systems to treat their wastewater. Nearly 39 percent of Hoosiers use septic systems to treat wastewater from their homes and businesses. About 15,000 septic systems are installed and about 6,000 repaired in Indiana each year. Proper maintenance of these systems is a vital part of protecting public health.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” said Christine Stinson, Administrator of the Marshall County Health Department. “Septic system maintenance is one of the most important things you can do to have long lifespan of your system. Have you system checked roughly every three years.”
Septic system owners are responsible for maintaining their onsite wastewater treatment systems. SepticSmart Week provides homeowners an opportunity to learn measures that will help them properly use and maintain their systems and protect their investments in their homes. Homeowners with septic systems are urged to follow these tips:
- Have systems inspected every three years by a licensed contractor and have tanks pumped every three to five years, or more frequently if necessary.
- Avoid pouring fats, grease and solids down the drain.
- Monitor water use and spread out laundry and dishwasher loads throughout the day. Too much water at once can overload a system.
- Fix plumbing leaks and consider installing faucet aerators.
- Never park or drive on a system’s absorption field where the vehicle’s weight could damage buried pipes or disrupt underground flow.
The EPA’s SepticSmart program promotes proper septic system use and maintenance all year long. Industry practitioners, local governments, homeowners and community organizations can learn more about septic systems at www.onsite.isdh.in.gov. Visit www.epa.gov/septic for more homeowner resources and information about SepticSmart Week 2018.
For important health and safety updates, follow MCHD on Facebook @MarshallCountyHD
