Septic Additives
In the US, septic tank additives are supplied to homeowners, but there is no formal certification, testing, or regulation of them. Due to this, it may be difficult to determine whether or not you require septic tank additives. We shall categorize additives into three groups in order to obtain the answers: inorganic substances, organic solvents, and biological additives.
Organic Solvents
Organic solvent-based septic tank additives are designed to dissolve fats, oils, and greases. Again, even if some products might be effective, we advise against using them because they: destroy the bacteria in septic tanks, negatively impact the efficiency of secondary treatment systems and the health of traditional septic systems and pollute the groundwater.
Biological Additives
Yeasts, live bacteria, and enzymes can all be added as biological septic tank additives. They are intended to reduce biomass, awaken dormant septic systems, and enhance the bacterial flora in drain fields and septic tanks.
Inorganic Substances
Acids and alkalis are examples of inorganic substances used as septic tank additives. They're designed to clear clogged septic system lines. Although these harsh chemical additives may function as promised, we advise against using them because they:
concrete treatment tanks can corrode and develop leaks
halt septic tanks' anaerobic decomposition process
impair the efficiency of traditional septic systems by harming the bacteria required for wastewater treatment.
interfere with secondary treatment systems' performance
Should I Add Bacteria To My Septic Tank?
Enough bacteria are present in healthy septic tanks to support the biological processes that clean wastewater and human waste. You can make the tank's bacterial populations compete with one another by adding more bacteria to it. More harm than good may result from this competition. Septic systems with problems are an another matter. The bacterial ecology in these systems has frequently been compromised by significant toxicant exposure, such as: certain soaps, disinfectants, cleaning supplies, and pesticides
When this occurs, bacterial additives might be able to assist you restore a balanced environment in your septic system.
Should I Add Enzymes?
Enzyme-containing additives, commonly referred to as "bio enzymes," are designed to increase bacterial populations in septic tanks.
By altering the structure of organic stuff, they make it easier for bacteria to feed on it.
Two things are crucial to understand about septic tank enzymes:
They are particular. Consider the common enzymes cellulase and protease as an illustration. Only toilet paper and other fibrous materials are broken down by cellulase. Only contaminants made of proteins are broken down by protease.
Other organic pollutants are unaffected by these enzymes. Since they aren't alive, they cannot procreate. In contrast to bacteria, enzymes need to be constantly purchased and supplied to your septic system in order to continue functioning as intended. To reduce the formation of a scum layer, some septic tank enzymes are offered for sale.
They function by letting fats, oils, and greases flow into secondary treatment facilities and other septic system elements upstream. Fats, oils, and greases shouldn't flow downstream, which is a concern. If they do, they might overburden and harm your septic system's components, reducing its lifespan and performance.
Final Verdict
Deciding whether septic tank additives are helpful or negative may be challenging. You can make an informed choice with the aid of this page, the scientific community, and local environmental laws.
What Does Science Say?
There isn't much evidence from science to support adding bacteria or enzymes to your septic system.
The efficiency of healthy septic tanks does not seem to be enhanced by biological additives, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The expense of septic system additives for residential usage could not be supported by these same data (EPA, United States, 2002).
