For Immediate Release
Contact: Andrew Sheldon
Environmental Health Administrator
Phone: 310-456-2489 ext. 364
Email: ASheldon@malibucity.org
EPA & Malibu City Encourage Homeowners to Care for Their Septic Systems During SepticSmart Week
Malibu, CA (Sept. 25, 2014) – The City joined with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for SepticSmart Week, Sept. 22-26, a campaign to encourage Malibu residents to maintain their septic systems to protect the environment and save money.
Nearly 95% of Malibu homeowners, and nearly one-quarter of all American households, depend on septic systems, or Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) to treat their wastewater.
Septic systems that are not properly maintained can back up and overflow, resulting in polluted local waterways, risks to public health and the environment, and costly repairs for homeowners.
“When homeowners protect their septic systems, it’s good for their health, their neighbors’ health, their pocketbooks, and the environmental health of Malibu,” said Malibu Mayor Skylar Peak. “SepticSmart Week is a great way to get the community on board the effort to have clean, safe septic systems.”
The City and the community are deeply committed to protecting the beauty and environmental health of Malibu’s natural surroundings for current and future generations to enjoy.
During SepticSmart Week, Malibu is posting tips and information from the EPA on good septic maintenance on its website and social media channels, including:
Protect It and Inspect It: Homeowners should generally have their
system inspected every three years by a City of Malibu Registered OWTS inspector, and have their tank pumped when necessary, typically every three to five years. Many septic system failures occur during the winter holiday season. Therefore, EPA encourages homeowners to get their septic systems inspected and serviced now before licensed inspectors’ schedules fill up around the holidays.
Think at the Sink: Avoid pouring fats, grease and solids down the drain. These substances can clog a system’s pipes and drainfield.
Don’t Overload the Commode: Only put things in the drain or toilet that belong there. For example, coffee grounds, dental floss, disposable diapers and wipes, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts and cat litter can all clog and potentially damage septic systems.
Don’t Strain Your Drain: Be water efficient and spread out water use. Fix plumbing leaks and install faucet aerators and water-efficient products. Spread out laundry and dishwasher loads throughout the day — too much water at once can overload a system that hasn’t been pumped recently.
Shield Your Field: Remind guests not to park or drive on a system’s tank and drainfield, where the vehicle’s weight could damage buried pipes or disrupt underground flow.
For more information, visit http://www.malibucity.org/index.aspx?NID=698.
The City of Malibu was incorporated on March 28, 1991. Located in Northwest Los Angeles County, the City has 21 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean and a population of 12,575.
###