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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-04-07, Page 16BLUEWATER KENNEL CLUB Experienced Instructors Serving Huron County for over 17 years presents its ANNUAL DOG OBEDIENCE COURSE For dogs over 5 months 10 week course only $60 to be held at BLYTH COMMUNITY CENTRE Starting: Tuesday, April 13, 1993 7:00 p.m. NO DOGS FIRST NIGHT HEALTH & RABIES CERTIFICATE REQUIRED TRAINING EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE Pre-Register by calling: JANET LOBB 233-3372 (after 5 p.m.) LYNN NISBETT 524-4963 Going once Auctioneer Kevin McArter, left, donated his talents to the Melville Presbyterian Time, Talent and Treasure auction last Saturday. Here he gets help from organizer Jeff Cardiff. The auction raised over $4,000 for the church. Going twice Auctioneer Reg Badley, left, gets some help from a friend at the Blyth United Church Spring Madness Talent Auction at the Community Centre, Friday night. 71 IA: .., A. 4' 0G V (to ON'T 41 ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY CANADA 357-3460 BRIDGE MOTORS LIMITED fig L FORD] • INTRODUCING BRUSSELS' OWN REUSABLE TOTE BAG Barmy Bags are 100% cotton, machine washable, durable and reuser friendly. Portion of proceeds to "THE ARK" Available at: Cardiff & Mulvey, CIBC, The Citizen, Brussels Country Inn, Brussels IGA, J.R.'s Gas Bar & Take Out Ltd., Just For You, McDonald Lumber, Radford's Auto, Thompson Meat Market Made locally by: BARMY TECH 887-9393 r IT'S SPRING and time for your free exhaust system inspection +20% UST demr" ICIVIZ WE KNOW YOUR CAR BEST DISCOUNT & FREE INSTALLATION ON ALL EXHAUST PARTS • Offer Expires April 30, 1993 Hwy. 86 E WINGHAM PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 1993. Conserving water important to septic system Household water conservation is an important factor in keeping your septic system working properly. The more slowly your septic tank fills and the lower the rate of flow through the system, the longer your system will last. "Most homeowners can take some simple and inexpensive steps to reduce water use in their home," noted Anne Loeffler, Rural Water Quality Technician with the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. "Leaky faucets and running toilets should be repaired immediately. Low-flow shower heads and flow restrictors for water faucets are readily available and will help reduce the volume of waste water entering the system." Septic systems are designed to take household wastes such as sewage and waste waters from Lathrooms and kitchens. The solid waste is treated and stored. The liquid part is dispersed into the ground. A typical system consists of a tank to store solids and a series of drainage tiles called a weeping bed that distributes the liquid waste. When more water runs through the system than it is designed to handle, there are problems. Solids, which normally stay in the tank, are washed into the weeping bed, and can plug them. Proper maintenance is critical for all septic systems. However, it is especially important for those located in very heavy clay soils. Soils with poor drainage have a high rate of weeping bed failure. This makes it especially important to limit the amount of waste water entering the system by using water conservation measures where ever possible. Besides water conservation measures it is important to have your system inspected regularly and pumped when necessary. The septic tank should be inspected at least ori-,e, every two years and the tank ;.7:.t11-iped out when necessary, approximately every three to four years. Failure to pump out a septic tank when required may result in sludge or scum being carried over to the weeping bed This can result in the clogging and the complete failure of the system. Inspections and pumping must be conducted by licensed personnel only. A failed septic system is costly to replace. Poorly maintained systems may contaminate local waterways with bacteria and nutrients. Other Suggestions for Septic System Maintenance: • Do not dispose of toxic items such as paints, varnishes, oil, acids, and medicines through your septic system. These may kill microorganisms needed to keep the system operating, or may contaminate ground water. Remember, your septic system is not designed to function as a sewer! • Substances that will not break down such as cat littler box sand, ash tray contents, diapers, fat from cooking, garbage disposal refuse, and paper (other than toilet paper) should not enter the septic tank. These will clog pipes, and fill your septic tank more quickly. • Limit the use of household cleaners, disinfectants, detergents or bleaches. These products may impair the aerobic decay process in the septic tank, and :71:4 r,,Ase ground water con' T -A especially on sandy and grave; soils. • Keep excess water such as drainage from eavestroughs and basement sumps out of the septic tank, and away from the weeping bed. Excessive water can cause ponding on the weeping bed surface, creating a health hazard and a stinking mess. • If automatic washers and dishwashers are used, make sure full loads are washed each time. Excessive water use (such es doing many loads in one day) should be avoided because it could flush solids from the tank to the weeping bed. • Protect your weeping bed tiles! Keep all vehicle traffic off the weeping bed to prevent the tiles from being crushed. Trees or shrubs should not be planted in the weeping bed area, since their roots may clog the tiles. • Grass on the surface of the weeping bed should be mown regularly to promote evaporation from the soil. • Have your system inspected and serviced regularly, by licensed personnel. • Know the location of your septic tank and weeping bed, and keep a record of when your tank was pumped out and inspected.