Water: Septic (Onsite / Decentralized) Systems
Homeowner Resources
Resources for Homeowners
Learn more about how your septic system operates, why it's important to properly maintain your system, simple, every-day tips that will help you avoid costly system repairs and replacement, and more!Brochures and Fact Sheets:
- Long Homeowner's Guide—This comprehensive guide educates homeowners on the basics of septic systems, the impacts of a failing system, and why it's important to properly maintain these systems.
- English Version (PDF) (9 pp, 2.9MB, About PDF)
- Spanish Version (PDF) (9 pp, 2.9MB, About PDF)
- Homeowner's Rack Brochure—This abridged version of the "Long Homeowner's Brochure" educates homeowners on the high-level facts they need to know about their septic systems.
- English Version (PDF) (2 pp, 3MB, About PDF)
- Spanish Version (PDF) (2 pp, 3MB, About PDF)
- Where Does All the Dirty Water Go? (PDF) (2 pp, 472K, About PDF)—This brochure raises citizen's awareness of the importance of wastewater, explains the basics of wastewater treatment, and contains helpful hints for homeowners about what NOT to put into the sanitary sewer system.
- What Happens After the Flush (PDF) (4 pp, 2.3MB, About PDF)—This colorful reprint from The Family Handyman Magazine explains how various wastewater systems work using excellent illustrations. Reprinted with permission from The Family Handyman magazine, 1997 Home Service Publications, Inc., an affiliate of The Reader's Digest Association, Inc., Suite 700, 2915 Commers Drive, Eagan, MN 55121. All rights reserved.
More Information About:
- Large-Capacity Septic Systems
- Septic Systems: What to Do after the Flood
- Be Water Wise—Visit the WaterSense website and learn about water-efficient products and tips that will not only help keep your septic system in working order, but may also save you money on your utility bill.
Tools:
- Homeowner Septic System Checklist (PDF) (1 pg, 147K, About PDF)
SepticSmart Quick Links
Looking to Launch a Local Outreach Campaign?
- Check out the SepticSmart Outreach Toolkit!
Government officials, industry professionals, environmental groups, and other local organizations can access ready-to-use educational materials, case studies, and more.
Contact SepticSmart Staff:
Phone: (202) 564-1162
E-mail: decentralized@epa.gov