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. Healthy septic tanks already have enough bacteria to support the biological processes that treat human waste and wastewater. Each product uses a different amount depending on the size of your septic tank and has a different schedule for how often you should use the products. The cleaning solutions and treatment process that will work best for your specific septic system can be determined during the initial inspection with a septic technician.
If you're in an area where there are specific regulations about what can be added to groundwater, septic tank additives may not be an option for you. Manufacturers of septic tank additives know this and offer products that promise to reduce the need to pump, dissolve blockages, or improve your septic system. A conventional septic system is comprised of a septic tank and a drain field, where most of the wastewater treatment takes place. Enzyme additives (also known as bioenzymes) are intended to stimulate bacterial populations in septic tanks. Suggesting things like installing an effluent filter can help extend the life of the septic system, since it reduces the amount of solid waste leaving the septic tank, can help reduce the likelihood of blockages, saving you the cost of a service call to remove blockages.
If you notice a foul odor or a collection of water around the drain field or if the drains are running slowly, you need to pump your septic tank. Its objective is to improve bacterial flora in septic tanks and drain fields, control biomass and reactivate inactive septic systems. Many septic additives claim to break down organic waste and thus eliminate the need to pump septic tanks. The main reason why so many people use unnecessary or harmful septic tank additives is because they don't really understand how a septic system works. Rarely is it necessary to do anything extra to help aerobic or anaerobic bacteria break down the mud and natural waste in the septic tank.
