September 19 to 23 is Septic Awareness Week, and the Western Canada Onsite Wastewater Management Association (WCOWMA) is urging homeowners to consider both what goes down the drain, and how to maintain their septic system.

Properly designed and maintained wastewater treatment systems effectively reduce or eliminate most human health or environmental threats posed by pollutants in household wastewater. However, they require regular maintenance, or they will not operate properly. Struggling septic systems are expensive to repair or replace. Septic systems need to be monitored regularly to ensure that they are functioning properly and to ensure a lengthy service life.