LOW RISK

MEDIUM RISK

HIGH RISK

YOUR RISK

Capacity of system

Tank is designed to handle more wastewater than required, based on the size of the home.

Capacity just meets load requirements, but I watch out for factors indicating system overload.  Water conservation measures are taken.

Bathrooms, bedrooms, or water-using appliances are added without re-examining the capacity of the wastewater system.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

Separation distance

Drainfield is at least 100 feet from any well or surface water.

Drainfield is between 50 and 100 feet from a well or surface water

Drainfield is less than 50 feet from a well or surface water.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

Age of system or holding tank

Year installed:
______

System is five years old or less.

System is between six and 20 years old.

System is more than 20 years old.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

Effluent filter

An effluent filter is installed and cleaned regularly.

An effluent filter is installed but not cleaned often enough.

There is no effluent filter installed on the septic tank outlet.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

Safety devices

(Note:  not all systems have pumps or alarms)

An alarm on the pumping chamber or holding tank indicates that the tank is full or power has been cut off  to the pump.

There is no alarm to indicate tank overflow or that power has been cut off to the pump.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

___   Does not apply

Backflow protection

A backflow valve is installed to prevent backup during floods.

No backflow valve is installed to prevent backup during floods.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

LOW RISK

MEDIUM RISK

HIGH RISK

YOUR RISK

Maps and records

I keep a map and good records of repairs and maintenance.

The location of my tank and date of last pumping are known but not recorded.

The location of my system is unknown.  I do not keep a record of pumping and repairs.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

Tank pumping (including holding tanks)

The septic tank is pumped on a regular basis as determined by an annual inspection, or about every three to five years.

The holding tank is pumped as needed.

The septic tank is pumped, but not regularly.

The septic tank is not pumped.

The holding tank overflows or leaks between pumpings.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

Condition of the tank and baffles

The tank and baffles are inspected for cracks; repairs are made promptly.

The condition of the tank and baffles is unknown.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

Drainfield protection

Vehicles and other heavy objects or activities are kept from the drainfield area.

Occasionally, the drainfield is compacted by heavy objects or activities.

Vehicles, livestock, heavy objects, or other disturbances are permitted in the drainfield area.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

Diverting surface water

All surface runoff is diverted away from the drainfield.

Some surface water flows into the drainfield area.

Runoff from land, rooftops, driveways, etc. flows into the drainfield.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

Plantings over the drainfield

Grass or other shallow-rooted plantings are over the drainfield.

Trees and shrubs are growing on or near the drainfield.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

Signs of trouble

Household drains flow freely.  There are no sewage odors inside or outside.  Soil over the drainfield is firm and dry.  Well water tests negative for coliform bacteria.

Household drains run slowly.  Soil over the drainfield is sometimes wet.

Household drains back up.  Sewage odors can be noticed in the house or yard.  Soil is wet or spongy in the drainfield area.  Well water tests positive for coliform bacteria.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

LOW RISK

MEDIUM RISK

HIGH RISK

YOUR RISK

Solid wastes

There is no garbage grinder (dispose-all) in the kitchen.  No grease or coffee grounds are put down the drain.  Only toilet tissue is put in the toilet.

There is moderate use of a garbage grinder, and some solids are disposed of down the drain.

There is heavy use of a garbage grinder, and many solids are disposed of down the drain.  Many paper products or plastics are flushed down the toilet.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

Cleaners, solvents, and other chemicals (also applies to holding tanks)

There is careful use of household chemicals (paints, cleaning products).  No solvents, fuels, or other hazardous chemicals are poured down the drain.

There is occasional disposal of hazardous household chemicals in the wastewater system.

There is heavy use of strong cleaning products that end up in wastewater.  Hazardous chemicals are disposed of in the wastewater system.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

Water conservation

Only water-conserving fixtures and practices are used.  Drips and leaks are fixed immediately.

Some water-conserving steps are taken (such as using low-flow shower heads or fully loading washing machines and dishwashers).

Standard high-volume bathroom fixtures are used (toilets, showers). No effort is made to conserve water.  Leaks are not repaired.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High

Water usage

Laundry and other major water uses are spread out over the week.

Several water-using appliances and fixtures are in use during a short period of time.

___   Low

___   Medium

___   High