Medication and Your Septic System

Prior to 1999, flushing prescription pills and other medications, such as aspirin and antihistamines, down the toilet was a common practice that was considered safe. Then, however, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) set new guidelines to dispose of medicine. These include throwing them in the garbage, and mixing them into kitty litter or coffee grounds, since flushing certain medications isn’t always safe.

Medication naturally makes its way into your septic system by way of human waste. Any time we take any type of medicine or drug, the part that is not broken down by the body is eliminated in our waste. It is not known how much of the drug ends up in our waste, but it is estimated that about 10% is excreted through the natural elimination process. What that means is that medication ends up in our septic system any time we take it.

How Medicine Affects Your Septic System

Septic systems work differently than sewage treatment facilities. They typically only serve one property, so any medication will have a much greater impact on the ecosystem of the septic system. Certain medications that are taken for longer than two weeks can devastate a septic system. Antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, for example, kill the bacteria that your septic system needs in order to break down the solids in your tank.

What You Should Do

Since many prescription medications can save lives, you do not want to stop taking them. If you are on a medication for less than three months, your septic system should be able to rebalance itself after the completion of the treatment. Septic Pumping and cleaning out the septic tank can help it recover faster.

If the medicine will be used longer than three months, there are a few things you can do to help protect your septic system:

1)                 Minimize the use of other bacteria-killing products. Things like bleach, antibacterial soap and household cleaners, etc., as they can stress the system.

2)                 Have your septic system evaluated. Periodic evaluations while you are taking the medication, as well as having the system pumped, will help to ensure that your septic system is functioning properly.

If you or someone in your family has been prescribed a medication and you want to know how it might be affecting your septic system, contact us today and we can help answer your questions.

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