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.