Salt water and septic tanks

[Seadogs]

Just wondering if 15-20 gallons of salt water from weekly water changes is going to be a problem for our septic tank. The septic is a 1,000 gal. tank. This might be an overly paranoid question, but I would hate to have a problem with "our" biological filter.

 

[jgoodrich71]

With the volumes of saltwater you will be putting in there, it should not be a problem.

 

[Paverdude]

If the septic tank is concrete salt can have a negative effect, shortining the life of the tank

 

[Seadogs]

Well, the septic tank is only ten years old, but...we just build our house and plan on living here until we are old and grey (we're in our 30's). With regular pumping, it might not become an issue, but does anyone have any alternative disposal methods for used salt water?

 

[Mykayel]

Compaired to the ammount of what that you use: 10-20 gals for a shower, 1.5g per flush of toliet, dishwasher, washer,...., dumping it down the drain shouldn't really effect you. Or you could just dump it out in the yard like I do.

 

[hawaiian_boi]

some old septis tanks were metal...but the salt wouldnt hurt it...the worst thing is that it could kill the good bacteria in the tank eating the waste and clogg the tank...you would need to pump your tank more..also the salt could go into the leach field where the water exit the tank and kill all the plants above and make the ground contaminated with salt ....if you dump it in the same part of your yard over time the salt will build up and the dirt will become infertil....

 

[Seadogs]

The tank is cement. Killing the bacteria and contaminating the leach field are our two biggest concerns. Granted, 15-20 gal. of salt water compared to all the regular water we use wouldn't be that big of a deal, but at least 15-20 gal. per week over many years might be. (We plan to have another, much larger tank down the road.)
Has anyone that has had a salt water tank and a septic tank over a long period of time had any problems?

 

[Spuds725]

I don't think it causes problems with mine-- mine is plastic-- I've dumped to it for 4 years... the salt is gettting pretty diluted in the septic tank-- IMO I would not worry-- it might be causing a small septic bacteria die off but it is probably only localized where the water enters..... maybe call a septic tank service company and ask them if you should worry or not---

 

[dugg]

The soap from your washing machine kills way more bacteria then a few gallons of saltwater per week. My house has 2 septic tanks. One for bathroom andone for the kithchen sink, and laundry room.

 

[DgenR8]

Much like our DSBs I believe there is a bacteria product that can be added to your septic tank to regenerate and replace bacteria. I think it's called RidX.
I also think (double check this, it might have been a dream) that a block of yeast added to your septic tank occasionally does the exact same thing.
I would look at the RidX box, and probably add it (or yeast) twice as often as they rcommend, just to be sure.

 

[Seadogs]

Thanks everyone! We regularly add the Rid-X type stuff, so I'll leave it as is for now. Next time we have it pumped, I'll ask about LONG term issues that may come up. If I find out anything new, I'll post it for everyone else.

 

[stevebydac]

I've been dumping the water changes from my 180g into a septic tank for 9 years. Plus, I live on a beach. The septic tank is buried in my grass-covered front yard, but there is a lot of sand (and I assume salt) mixed in the dirt below me. So I wouldn't worry if I were you. My whole street has septic, and I don't know of any problems.

 

[sjm817]

I used to have a septic tank in my old house, didn't have a SW tank back then. Both the company that pumped it and a contractor that installed setic systems said do not use Rid-X. I forget why they didn't like it. I'd do some research on it.

 

[collective21]

I have woods by me, I dump mine in the backyard.

 

[mikenpam]

I take mine to work and dump it into the sewer system. A bit of a pain but I don't have to worry about the septic or my lawn. I have a 90 and a 20 QT so it is only about 4 buckets a week. Someday I intend to upgrade to a 180 or 210 and I may change my mind.

 

[Fast Fred]

Ever think about how much salt is in urine? With the dilution of waste water from the shower and sinks, I would venture a guess that SW tank water pales in comparison to the rest of the stuff that goes into the septic tank.

 

[NCreefwannabe]

Mine goes into the dirt,right outside my door lol.

 

[DgenR8]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6614245#post6614245 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DgenR8
I also think (double check this, it might have been a dream) that a block of yeast added to your septic tank occasionally does the exact same thing.

I stand corrected on the yeast thing. I am told that yeast can overgrow, and clog things up if added to your septic system. I guess it WAS a dream.

 

[jgoodrich71]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6616485#post6616485 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fast Fred
Ever think about how much salt is in urine? With the dilution of waste water from the shower and sinks, I would venture a guess that SW tank water pales in comparison to the rest of the stuff that goes into the septic tank.

Absolutely agree

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Run a pipe to your neighbors backyard. Thats what I did.:lol: Unless you like your neighbors.