The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported that biological additives do not appear to improve the performance of healthy septic tanks. These same findings could not justify the cost of additives for septic systems for residential use (EPA, United States, 200). Septic systems don't need any additives to work properly and treat wastewater.
While there are many commercial microbiological and enzymatic additives sold on the market that claim to improve bacterial populations and reduce the time between pumping septic systems, there really isn't any peer-reviewed scientific literature showing that these additives are effective at doing so that they claim. Research indicates that most septic tank additives do little (or nothing) to improve the performance of your overall system. Some additives can even damage the functionality of your septic tank. How does that work? Keep in mind that septic tanks treat wastewater naturally using good bacteria.
Since most additives exist as “bacterial cleaners”, they enter the tank and destroy good bacteria that help break down solids naturally. Before adding any type of additive or septic tank treatment to your septic tank, be sure to check local regulations as well. Then I told him that I wanted the toilet paper to remain at the bottom of the tank in the form of mud and not come out of the tank and could clog the drain pipes; only water should come out of the tank. For vacation homes or homes that don't use the septic system much, it's important to schedule a regular septic system maintenance appointment with your local septic professional to determine the best course of action for these septic systems and ensure that your septic tank is working properly.
They work by allowing fats, oils, and fats to flow downstream into secondary treatment systems and other components of the septic system. Septic tanks are most effective when the bacteria in the tank are operating without outside interference. That's why most jurisdictions require homeowners to pump their septic tanks regularly. Approval simply means that, as required by Florida law, the additive does not interfere with the operation of the septic system and that, when an additive is used, the effluent (wastewater) leaving the septic system meets Florida water quality standards.
As sludge accumulation is inevitable, most jurisdictions require that you regularly pump your septic tank. Solids settle at the bottom of a septic tank (mud), oils and greases float on top (slag), and wastewater (effluent) exits the tank into the drain field for further treatment. While septic additives aren't a panacea in the first place, they don't make any sense if you don't do the following in your septic system. The purpose of septic tank additives is to “aid the process of decomposing septic tank waste using natural bacteria.” Septic tank owners have probably heard of septic tank additives and may be wondering if you need to use them to maintain a healthy septic system. For example, some septic tank additives help boost the natural bacterial treatment of wastewater.
