How to use EM for septic systems

The EM brand is known around the world in the treatment of water and wastewater mostly for controlling odour and decreasing treatment costs. One of the best benefits of using EM is the assurance that the products are safe and produce only beneficial by-products.

For on-site wastewater disposal (septic systems), the proper care of the septic system is responsibility of the homeowner and when problems arise (they're smelly, offensive, and costly), making Effective Microorganisms for septic systems a timely solution.

Let us start off here by telling you to beware of the person telling you, "You will never have to pump your system again." There will ALWAYS be some sludge accumulation and a system should be maintained.

Standard Anaerobic Septic Systems for Single Family households:

There has been much debate in the professional arena about the use of inoculants in septic systems. While most products contain large amounts of fillers and very little active bacteria, some products are great ... under certain conditions. As more and more of us continue to use antibiotic soaps, and increase the use of bleach and other disinfectants, and increase the intake of pharmaceuticals, the lifeblood of an onsite treatment system, the microbes start to die. As many professionals have stated in professional journals, "The septic tank is dead. The leaching field is dead and plugged. The only way to revive it is to inoculate it with a strong, live culture of microbes."

EM treatment for septic systems provides for a marked improvement to off-setting the typical imbalance caused by over loading, harsh cleaners/detergents, antibiotic soaps, drain cleaners and a wide variety of other materials that make their way into the household on-site waste disposal system.

Here are the benefits of using EM-1 in your on-site system:

Regular monthly applications recharge the system with beneficial microbes which promote:

• A more complete breakdown of organic matter (Lowers BOD & density of Sludge)
• Reduction of Odours due to pathogens/putrefaction (H2S Hydrogen Sulphide Gas)
• Reduction of a wide variety of microbes causing waterborne diseases (Works by competitive exclusion)
• Reduction in the amount of suspended solids bypassed into the leach field (TSS-Total Suspended Solids)
• Enhanced stabilization of complex proteins (Average amount of protein in faecal matter 85% & urine 35%)

Regular monthly applications in home sewer lines offer the following benefits:

• Reduces grease/fats crowning in the sewer lines (saponifiable and non-saponifiable)
• Reduces air vent clogging (fats/grease and mould growth)
• Reduces backup due to organic matter build up in lines (Microorganisms consume organic matter)
• Improves grease trap functionality while reducing odours (Treats saponifiable and non-saponifiable plus elimination of paraffin formation)
• Reduces sewer gases generation (H2S-Hydrogen Sulphide Gas - "rotten egg smell")

Impact applications by applying directly into the leach field:

• Reduces clogged leach field due to grease/fats buildup
• Reduces typical over growth of zuglea mass in the leach field
• Improves porosity of the leach field gravel/soils
• Enhances soil's natural bacterial action (decomposition)

Recommended Amount Applied:

(If septic system has not been cleaned out within the past year or more)

Recommended Amount Applied:

(If septic system has been cleaned out within the past three months)

Method of Application:

1. The best results are achieved when EM-1 Waste Treatment is applied immediately after septic tank has been pumped clean. (This is desirable but not required.)
2. When treating drains (shower/sink/floor), toilets, and pea traps, mix the EM-1 Waste Treatment with warm water (36° to 43° Celsius) at 1:5 ratio. Apply when drains will not be used for 8 or more hours, such as over night or during the day when no one will be home using the system.
3. For grease trap applications mix the EM-1 Waste Treatment and/or Super "C" ceramics with warm water (36° to 43° Celsius) at 1:5. Then divide the solution and put half through the kitchen drain and half directly into the top section of the grease trap.
4. When applying directly into leach field (via inspection port) or into the septic tank (via a toilet) mix the EM-1 Waste Treatment and/or Super "C" ceramics with warm water (36° to 43° Celsius) at 1:10 ratio.

Stuck drain or slow flowing drain:

Pour 1/4 cup (60ml) EM-1 and 1/4 cup (60ml) molasses into drain when you know the drain will not be used for at least 8 hours. Let sit and start to ferment. The activation process will start to loosen the material in the drain.

For a stubborn drain, pack the drain with baking soda and pour vinegar until the drain clears. Flush with water. Follow up with regular applications of EM-1 once or twice per week as you clean the sink. This will keep the microbes in the drain and help to keep the drain clean and flowing properly.

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