After last winter’s very cold temperatures and little or no snow cover, Minnesota’s individual sewage treatment systems were subjected to a lot of stress. For many people with individual sewage treatment systems, this combination led to some freezing problems. Hopefully this winter will be a more normal winter and we will receive enough snow to insulate our septic systems. However, if we don’t, there are some things you can do to help prevent sewage freezing from occurring. o Keep people, animals and vehicles (cars, snowmobiles and ATVs) off of the sewage treatment area. o Have someone use water in your house if you are away. If you leave on a winter vacation, have someone run your dishwasher once a day, or run 10-20 gallons of hot water into your septic tank. Do not let a water faucet run while you are gone. o If you have a pump station, increase the frequency of your pumping cycle. o Do not use antifreeze. o Cover the area over your pump station, the sewer line from the pump station to the drainfield, and the drainfield with hay or straw. Once your septic system is frozen you may have to: o Operate the septic tank as a holding tank until weather conditions improve. o Have a contractor try to steam it open. For more information, contact Stearns County Environmental Services at (320) 656-3613, or log onto the University of Minnesota Extension Service Web site at http://septic.coafes.umn.edu/Homeowner/factsheets /freezingproblems.htm.
