Septic systems work on a biological cycle. The more bacteria the better the system runs.
The more water you throughput, the less bacteria left in the tank. They get flushed out to the field.
In the old days we had a septic tank and a soap box. All the water from the kitchen sink and laundry and tub went to the soap box to its own field. (sometimes rockpit) This allowed the toilet its own tank with the least amount of water throughput.
These days all the effluent goes to one tank. Along with all the cleaning chemicals and soap that kill bacteria.
And some households have a garburator that put solids into the tank that should actually be in a compost heap. They take a lot longer to break down.
So now they recommended to suck out the septic tank every year.
I am not on septic anymore. But was for 30 years. The longest I have gone without emptying the tank is 15 yrs. And I could have gone longer that time, but when you order the guy in, you don't send him away.
Sorry for the rant, its a pet peeve of mine. I used to argue with the city all the time.
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