MASON CITY – The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health and area septic system contractors have seen an increase in freezing septic systems due to a very cold winter and frost running deep into the ground.
Rural residents using a septic system should not run water to keep water lines open if the discharge is going into the septic system. A constant addition of water into a septic system can cause the system to freeze up which will lead to back-ups into the home. Rural residences should find an alternative way to keep water lines flowing.
“Lots of communities are having trouble with freezing water lines, which is a fairly new issue for the larger systems,” said Mark Mathre, Environmental Health Specialist, Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. “The easy fix is to tell people it’s a good idea to let the water drip. That is one of the worst ideas for a septic system because it really increases the risk of freeze up.”
Here are additional tips to help prevent septic system freezing:
- No drips – don’t let your water run if using septic system
- Be sure to fix all dripping fixtures (faucets, toilets)
- Heaters – use an immersion type tank heater to help keep the tank unfrozen (commonly called stock tank heater)
- Caution – condensation discharge from high efficiency furnaces can contribute if connected to the septic system
- Pile snow or use cover over the top of septic tank
If you are having freezing issues, please contact a certified septic system installer.
4 thoughts on “Health department advises rural septic system users on water safety”
You know what the better solution is? Separate your grey water from your black water and recycle the grey water into your indoor planters where you grow your food and your medicine. But county “officials” wouldn’t know much about these principles, because THEY JUST DON’T KNOW. Earthships Biotecture: The Better Way. http://www.earthship.com
Just plain dumb. People have been living in the country for centuries and drinking the well water. This is just a make work situation for the government workers. If people don’t know by now what they can drink and what they can’t, all the blah, blah, blah by the government workers will do no good. This is just pure waste of money.
@Anonymous-You are correct, but, there are lots of idiots around that are real space cases and they will do stupid things. One of those has posted on this article.
It’s obvious that he is caught up inside his own mind. A legend in his own mind would be a proper moniker for him.
This is just another example of what happens to someone who has used drugs. I know he has medical issues. The question is, which came first?
If some of the mental problems are genetic, the drugs sure didn’t do them any good.
The way he rambles on, it appears he us still using.