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Septic System Best Management Practices
by John Alden, Watershed Coordinator
There are several Best Management Practices that you can follow to keep your septic system in good working order AND to protect the waters of Ten Mile Lake.
- DO NOT add "starters" to your septic system. Enough bacteria probably exist in the tank to initiate and continue the degrading of harmful wastes in the tank. There is no need to put any items (such as a dead fish) in a new septic tank. If you are concerned, a handful of Dog-Chow would suffice.
- DO NOT add commercial products such as Rid-Ex or other additives. These additives will degrade the solids from your toilets and sinks to the point that they will be floated into the drainfield. Your drainfield may then be clogged by these particulates; subsequently the drainfield may fail, and may release wastewater onto the lawn area. (Note: this restriction does not apply to the Hogen process discussed in Jim Schwartz's article on page 10.)
- DO have a licensed septic system pumping contractor pump out the scum as well as the wastewater in the septic tank. At this same time, the tank should be back-flushed and pumped again to make sure all deposits have been removed. It is recommended that this pumping be done once every two to three years during the warm weather season. Septic tanks should not be pumped in the fall. Winter ground frost may damage empty tanks.
- DO have the manhole cover (a removable disk approximately 18 to 24 inches in diameter) over your septic system serve as the entry point for the pumping and flushing process. DO NOT rely on above-ground, four-to-six inch PVC inspection pipes for pumping and flushing, as these tubes are not functionally appropriate for adequate pumping.
HONOR ROLL
The following Ten Mile residents have earned Honor Roll recognition by installing new waste water treatment systems or by applying for a system upgrade since August, 2002:
 | Gary F. & Mary Ann Anderson |
| Bruce Beckley |
| Donald J. Bidinski |
| Edward & Mary Beth Crandall |
| Donald & Gail Dahlstrom |
| Gregory J. & Cincy R. DeGonda |
| Cliff & Debra Hamilton |
| Michael K. & Karen J. Hansen |
| Stephen J. Harley |
| Arlene King |
| Geraldine Kistler |
| Charles L.& Nancy M. Krueger |
| Stephen & Audrey Masimore |
| James W. And Ann McGill |
| Paul W. & Patricia M. Michel |
| Craig & Sarah J. Nordlund |
| Steven L. & Carolyn W. Olsen |
| James M & Diana Mario Prince |
| Wallace L. Roles |
| Judith & Kerry Running |
| Donald & Mary Schwieger |
| James D. Stephenson |
| Glen & Loydee Stonebrink |
| William C. Swan |
| Edward L. Swanson |
| Charles D. & Koreen L. Trosen |
WE CONGRATULATE all these TML residents, who have joined the growing list of persons taking action to help protect the water and the environment of TML. If you or someone you know should be listed here and is not, please let us know, for inclusion in a newsletter next year.
