Myth No.6: effluent filters are not necessary. Why should I spend the money when my parents never had one on their tank and it still works fine.
What is the definition of working fine? How was this answered? The toilet is still flushing?
An effluent filter collects all the smaller and fine particles that would bypass the tank and drain into the septic distribution trench. Overtime, all these small particles including hair, lint, dirt, nail clippings, nut shells, flax, seeds etc will eventually clog the perforated pipe and also prevent drainage into the gravel bed causing the pipe to retain the water. This should be cleaned and serviced every 6 months. Cleaning entails a rinse with a garden hose. It's easy and saves the life of the system.
Effluent Filters are required to be part of all new on-site sewage disposal systems in Nova Scotia.
A septic tank must have a septic tank effluent filter that has been certified as meeting, or as being equivalent to,NSF Standard 46 “Wastewater Treatment System Components and Devices”.
