Aerobic System:
DOs and DON'Ts
Do...
  • maintain the service arrangement offered by the manufacturer after the initial two-year
    period has expired.  It is  very important that aerobic units receive regular maintenance.  
  • keep your system accessible for inspections and pumping, yet protected from
    unauthorized entrance.  If access to your system is locked, make sure that your service
    contractor has a key.
  • call a service professional whenever you experience problems with your system,
    whenever the alarm is activated, or whenever there are any signs of system failure.
  • keep detailed records about your aerobic system, including a map of where it is, and
    general information, such as model name, capacity, state license, date installed, contract
    service agreement, records of service visits, and maintenance performed.
  • conserve water to avoid overloading the system.  Be sure to repair any leaky faucets or
    toilets.
  • divert other sources of water, like roof drains, house footing drains, and sump pumps
    away from the aerobic system.
  • become familiar with how your own particular system operates, and the way it looks,
    sounds, and smells when it is working correctly.  This way, you may be able to identify
    problems before they become serious and alert your service provider to anything
    unusual.
  • be sure to ask your service  provider questions about how to know if your unit is
    malfunctioning.

Don’t...
  • go down into a septic tank.  Toxic gases are produced by the natural treatment
    processes in septic tanks and can kill in minutes.  Extreme care should be taken when
    inspecting a septic tank, even when just looking in.
  • allow anyone to drive or park over any part of the system.
  • plant anything over or near the drainfield except grass.  Roots from nearby trees or
    shrubs may clog and damage the drain lines.
  • allow anyone to drive over or park on any part of the system.
  • make or allow repairs to your aerobic system without obtaining the required health
    department permit.  Use professional licensed septic contractors when needed.
  • use a garbage disposal without checking with your local regulatory agency to make sure
    that your aerobic system can accommodate this additional waste.
  • use your toilet as a trash can or poison your aerobic unit and the groundwater by
    pouring harmful chemicals and cleansers down the drain.  Harsh chemicals can kill the
    beneficial bacteria that treat your wastewater.
  • attempt to clean or perform maintenance on any sealed aerobic unit components.
  • allow water softener backwash to enter your aerobic system before checking with your
    local regulatory agency.
REMEMBER:
Aerobic treatment plants must be maintained and monitored frequently.
They should be pumped out by an Illinois licensed
pumping contractor every 3-5 years, or as often as needed.
`VERY IMPORTANT
  • When doing laundry, do not wash all of the clothing in one day.  
    Loads of laundry must be staggered throughout the week, ideally
    one or two loads daily.  Too much soap in the unit at one time can
    cause excessive foaming, causing problems and possibly failure of
    your aerobic unit.
  • Never flush medications down the toilet or allow them to go down
    any drain.  Many medications kill off the microorganisms living in the
    aerobic unit that are essential for proper treatment of  sewage.
An aeration unit also works independent of soil absorption. This type of system uses
aerobic (with oxygen) bacteria to break down the solids rather than the anaerobic-type
bacteria found in septic tanks. Specifically approved units are allowed to discharge to farm
tiles, river, etc.

Advantages:
  1. Only a small area needed for installation
  2. High water table does not interfere with function
  3. Discharge site is only 20 to 40 inches below ground level
  4. Does not depend upon soil to absorb septic tank effluent
Disadvantages:
  1. High maintenance cost
  2. After 2 year initial contract, yearly maintenance contracts may be purchased from the
    distributor
  3. Continuing cost of electricity to run aerator and other necessary pumps and alarms
  • coffee grinds
  • dental floss
  • disposable diapers
  • kitty litter
  • sanitary napkins
  • tampons
  • cigarette butts
  • condoms
  • fat, grease or oil
  • paper towels
Hazardous chemicals, such as:
  • paints
  • varnishes
  • thinners
  • waste oils
  • photographic solutions
  • pesticides
Do not flush the following items! These items can quickly
fill your aerobic treatment unit with solids that cannot be treated, and will require
that you contact a licensed contractor to pump the system more frequently.
MCHD Home

Food:
Food Safety
Hand Washing
Power Outage
Safe Food Temp

Septic
Systems:
Aerobic System
Holding Tank
Sand Filters:
Buried
Recirculating
Sub-Surface
Seepage System
Waste Stabilation
Pond / Lagoon

Other:
Body Art
Fees
Lead Poisoning Act
Lyme Disease
West Nile Virus
When choosing which type of system to use, certain factors must be considered so that the system
selected will best serve the individual's needs:
  1. Type of soil on the property
  2. Topography (lay of the land)
  3. Lot size; available property for the installation
  4. Surrounding features - wells (both yours and the neighbors'), water lines,  property lines,
    driveways, etc.

If you have any questions concerning this guide or if you wish to apply for a permit to
install one of the above private sewage disposal systems, please feel free to contact:

Marion County Health Department
Division of Environmental Health
118 Cross Creek Boulevard
Salem, Illinois  62881

Telephone: 618-548-3878
Fax:  618-548-3866
Email: mmallow@ussonet.net