Garbage Disposals with septic tanks (how much, washer, tank, sink)

[Ellwood]

Anyone know if there is a problem if I install a garbage disposal in the kitchen sink with a septic system?

[Pitt Chick]

Yep - it upsets the balance of the septic, and then you have problems!

[North Beach Person]

Generally garbage disposals are not recommended for use with a septic system.


Avoid Garbage Disposal Problems by Limiting the Waste Going Down the Sink, plus Odor Tips

Use and Care of Septic Systems

[Steve Bagu]

The answer would be a NO NO NO because a tank would fill up REAL quick.

There is an exception to the rule depending on how the septic system was built.

Decades ago I bought a new track house with a round brick septic in the front lawn which had a open bottom. With our extended family showers and the kitchen disposal we still survived a few yrs until the city installed a sewer system that we connected up too. Some neighbors did not have our luck and had the septics collapse on them. Matter on how much water is used in the system. Food for thought.

Steve

[Donn2390]

It depends on how you use it. All the homes in this area are septic with garbage disposals, and we've never had a problem. We are careful how we use it, and the only thing that goes in it are what we rinse off of the plates. We don't put in much else, but there is no need to. Most everything food wise goes into a compartment in the freezer, to prevent ants, and gets tossed in the rash ontrash pick-up day..

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by Ellwood

Anyone know if there is a problem if I install a garbage disposal in the kitchen sink with a septic system?

Guaranteed problems. Don't do it.

[M3 Mitch]

Technically *installing* the garbage disposal won't cause problems with your septic, but *using* it is likely to. Like Donn says, if you use enough discretion with what you run into the disposal, you shouldn't have problems - but in general I wouldn't.

I don't like garbage disposals at all, really, even if on a sewer system.

I have to note that I recognize some of my fellow nay-sayers as hardcore DIY types who typically know what they are talking about, either around the house or under the hood, BTW.

Really, don't do it.

[Ellwood]

Thanks for your help. No garbage disposal for me!

[K'ledgeBldr]

That's the old "RULE of THUMB".
Too many contamenants of a septic system were attributed to the disposal.
Not so with this "system";

InSinkErator Evolution Septic Assist Garbage Disposal - Faucet Depot

I have built in a couple of subdivisions that were on septic- my plumber insisted that I should have these installed. He was a true believer- I am too.

[spacelord75]

Agree with above....they do make disposal's specifically for septic tank houses, but I would never use one. Even when we had one at our old house I never used it anyway, just scrap the food into the trash (haha, or buy a dog and let it clean the plate before putting in the dishwasher)!