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Public Health
Seattle & King County
401 5th Ave., Suite 1300
Seattle, WA 98104

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Phone: 206-296-4600
TTY Relay: 711

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Home » Disaster response » Septic tank systems

Disaster response
Septic tank systems during power outages or floods

> POWER OUTAGES:

  • Reduce your water use to a minimum, especially if the system has a pump. If all the reserve storage inside the chamber is used, the waste pipes in your home can back-up. There is usually a one-day supply of emergency storage space available in the pump tank.
  • Turn off the pump at the control panel.
  • WARNING: If the power outage caused the pump to malfunction, do not enter the pump chamber. Gases inside pump chambers are toxic and can be fatal. It is best to call a certified septic system installer for service or repair.
  • After power is restored, switch the pump on and let it run for a maximum of 5 minutes, and then turn it off. Repeat this manual switching every 6 hours until the effluent drops to the "OFF" level and the pump turns off by itself. If only a small amount of water was used, the pump may automatically turn off during the first switching.
  • CAUTION: When repairing the pump, always turn off the power supply at the circuit breaker and unplug all power cord before handling the pump or floats.

> FLOODS:

  • Septic tank systems that have been flooded should not be used.
  • After waters have receded, check the system for broken lines or sewage surfacing.
  • Correct any problems before using the system.
  • After the water has receded, switch the pump on and let it run for a maximum of 5 minutes, and then turn it off. Repeat this manual switching every 6 hours until the effluent drops to the "OFF" level and the pump turns off by itself. If only a small amount of water was used, the pump may automatically turn off during the first switching.
related sites:

sanitary tee pipe fittingSeptic tank design and use

An illustrated page on the types of septic tanks in use in King County.

checklist
Disaster prep fact sheets

Are you prepared and know what to do to protect yourself and those around you during a disaster? Get the facts on protecting one's health against floods, power outages, sewage spills, carbon monoxide, and more.

Updated: Friday, July 20, 2007 at 08:51 PM

All information is general in nature and is not intended to be used as a substitute for appropriate professional advice. For more information please call (206) 296-4600 (voice) or TTY Relay: 711. Mailing address: ATTN: Communications Team, Public Health - Seattle & King County, 401 5th Ave., Suite 1300, Seattle, WA 98104 or click here to email us.

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