Pumping is generally required because the inflow exceeds the potential for the leach field to accept the material draining from the septic tank (i.e. leach field is saturated). If this has been a problem since the septic system was developed it may not be possible to reduce the need to pump the tank annually or bi-annually. An additional problem may be a structural fault in the weeping tile which has developed since building the drainage field initially. In severe cases saturation of the field can become so great that liquid begins to appear collecting above ground. However, most locations have to be pumped because the leach field has, over time, become saturated with solid organic particulates which have filled in spaces which used to absorb the drainage. In this case, direct application of 10L Shactivate into the ‘grey water’ side of the septic tank (i.e. the side closest to the drainage field) is recommended. Once the field begins to clear and surface collected water subsides, tank pumping schedules should reduce significantly, although annual pump-out service may still be required..
* Blockages in the leach field or weeping tile can be caused by structural damage (eg. field buried under high traffic areas in farm yard), tree root infiltration or inorganic/mineral deposits. None of these conditions can be solved by using Shactivate. However, Shactivate treatment is a cheap and simple method of troubleshooting a septic field saturation problem. If saturation remains three weeks after treatment the field is likely damaged rather than ‘saturated’ with organics.