Happy Earth Day from our team here at A&L Cesspool! This holiday serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve our environment. We recognize the vital role that proper cesspool maintenance plays in safeguarding our planet’s water quality and ecosystems. By adopting environmentally friendly practices, you can ensure your cesspool operates efficiently while minimizing its ecological footprint. Our cesspool experts have compiled this guide of actionable, eco-friendly cesspool management tips to help you manage your cesspool and home sewer system sustainably.

1. Be Mindful of What Goes Down Your Drains

One of the easiest, eco-friendly cesspool management tips is simply to be more mindful of what goes down your drains. Only human waste and toilet paper should ever be flushed down your toilets, and your other drains should be protected from debris and chemicals. Anything else threatens both your cesspool system and the environment.

  • Avoid Flushing Anything That Can Clog Your Pipes: Blockages in your pipes are not only expensive and inconvenient for you, they can also lead to hazardous backups that release raw sewage pollution that harms both the ecosystem and human health. Never flush non-biodegradable items such as baby wipes, paper towels, and feminine hygiene products.
  • Dispose of Hazardous Substances Properly: Allowing hazardous chemicals to enter your cesspool can ultimately lead to those substances contaminating nearby waterways and groundwater, hurting water quality, people, and wildlife. Never allow cooking grease, oils, paints, or solvents to be flushed or poured down the drains of your home. You should also avoid using chemical drain cleaners; they are dangerous, toxic, and often ineffective. 

2. Conserve Water to Prevent Overloading

Excessive water usage can overwhelm your cesspool and lead to system failures and environmental hazards, so many eco-friendly cesspool management tips revolve around reducing household water consumption. 

  • Install Water-Efficient Fixtures: Low-flow toilets and showerheads reduce water consumption without compromising performance.
  • Spread Out Water Usage: Avoid doing multiple loads of laundry in one day. Spacing out water-intensive activities allows your cesspool to process waste more effectively. ​
  • Turn off the Tap: Save water by turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving.
  • Only Run Full Loads: Operate dishwashers and washing machines only when they are fully loaded to maximize efficiency.
  • Consider Native Water-Efficient Landscaping: Consider replacing some of your lawn with native plants that require less watering.

3. Schedule Regular Inspections and Pumping

Allow A&L Cesspool to conduct regular and routine maintenance of your cesspool and the rest of your home sewer system to catch issues early before they become expensive and inconvenient problems for you and hazards for the environment. 

  • Regular Pumping: Have your cesspool pumped every two to three years to remove sludge buildup and prevent environmentally damaging sewage overflows.
  • Professional Inspections: Regular inspections can identify potential issues early, ensuring your system operates optimally and reducing the risk of environmental contamination.

4. Consider Upgrading Your Cesspool To Prevent Nitrogen Pollution 

One of the most impactful tips for eco-friendly cesspool management is to consider upgrading from a traditional cesspool system to an advanced septic system. These modern systems are far more effective at preventing nitrogen pollution from entering nearby waterways—a major environmental concern that can lead to harmful algae blooms, fish kills, and beach closures. Advanced septic systems can reduce nitrogen pollution by up to 90%. To make these upgrades more accessible, government programs in New York State, Nassau County, and Suffolk County offer financial assistance to help homeowners and small business owners offset the costs.

Our Team Can Help You Implement These Eco-Friendly Cesspool Management Tips

By implementing these eco-friendly cesspool management tips, you contribute to a healthier environment and ensure that your cesspool system works efficiently. This Earth Day, let’s commit to sustainable cesspool management for the well-being of our planet.​ For professional assistance with your cesspool maintenance needs, trust A&L Cesspool. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing services that keep your system running smoothly while staying environmentally responsible.