When the power goes out, most people worry about the food in the fridge or finding a working torch. But if you are on a septic system, you might have a bigger problem brewing underground.
The short answer is, it depends on what kind of system you have. Some septic setups rely entirely on gravity, while others need electricity to keep things moving. Understanding which one is sitting in your backyard can save you from a very messy situation during the next big storm.
Gravity Systems: The Good News
If you have a traditional gravity-fed septic tank, you are in luck. These systems do not use any electrical components to move effluent from your house to the tank and out to the leach field. Gravity does all the heavy lifting.
In a power outage, a gravity system will continue to function normally. You can flush the toilet and run the taps without much worry, though it is still a good idea to take it easy on the water usage to avoid overstressing the soakage area.
Pump and Aerated Systems: The Risk Factor
Many modern homes, especially those on hilly blocks or with advanced secondary treatment systems (like an AWTS), rely on electricity.
If your system has a pump to move waste uphill or an aerator to treat the effluent, a power outage stops the process. Here is what happens:
- The tank keeps filling: Every time you flush or run a tap, the water goes into the tank, but the pump cannot move it out.
- The alarm might stay silent: Most septic alarms are also powered by electricity. You might not get a warning that the tank is getting too full until it starts backing up into your showers or drains.
- Aerobic bacteria can die off: If you have an aerated system, the pump that provides oxygen will stop. If the power stays out for more than a day or two, the beneficial bacteria that treat your waste can start to die.
What to Do When the Lights Go Out
If you know your septic system relies on a pump, you need to act immediately to protect your home:
- Stop all non-essential water use: No laundry, no dishwashers, and keep showers very short.
- Avoid flushing: Only flush when necessary.
- Check your levels: Once the power comes back on, listen for your pump. If it does not start up or if the alarm sounds, you may need a manual reset or a professional inspection.
Need Professional Advice?
If your power has come back on but your septic system still seems sluggish, or if you are not sure what type of system you have, we can help. It is always better to check the tank levels now rather than waiting for a backup.
At Septic Cleaning, we look after tanks across the region, making sure they are pumped out and performing correctly before the storm season hits.
You can find our full list of service areas on our locations page. If you are currently dealing with a full tank or a pump failure, give us a call directly on 0438 315 514 and we will get a truck out to you.
Cheers, and stay dry.