Household Water Assessment, Lake*A*Syst, University of Maine Cooperative extension Water Quality Program

County Offices
Find out about workshops and demonstrations in your neighborhood and around the state.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension
5741 Libby Hall
Orono, ME 04469-5741
(207) 581-3188
1-800-287-0274 (in Maine)
TDD: 1-800-287-8957 (in Maine)
FAX: (207) 581-1387
E-Mail: www-questions@umext.maine.edu

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Water Quality Program is a partner in the NIFA New England Regional Water Quality Program. We actively participate in the following New England Regional Water Quality Focus Areas: Nutrient and Pest Management, New England Private Well Initiative, New England NEMO, Sustainable Landscapes, and Animal Waste Management.

Household Wastewater Assessment

	High Risk (3) Modify Practice	Moderate Risk (2) Possible Hazard	Low Risk (1) Recommended	Your Rank
Septic System Functioning	Wastewater regularly discharges to the soil surface and flows toward the lake.	Indications of possible wastewater discharge to the soil surface; lush grass-ponding.	No indication of wastewater discharge to soil surface.
Septic Tank	No tank or is grossly undersized; made of metal.	Tank allows some leakage and is undersized; made of metal.	Tank is properly sized; made of concrete and water tight.
System Maintenance	Tank pumped only when necessary; leach field may have buildup.	Tank is pumped every 4 to 6 years; no buildup in leach field.	Tank is pumped every 2 years, or is a holding tank.
Leach Field Soil Type	Coarse sand or clay.	Fine textured sand.	Loam.
Waste Water Quality	Use garbage disposal; extensive use of household chemicals; toxic chemicals and septic tank cleaners are disposed of in drains.	Moderate use of household chemicals; some disposal of solvents and toxic cleaners, including chemical septic tank cleaners down the drain.	Dispose of chemicals in sealed container; compost food scraps; use drain covers to trap sink debris; use few household chemicals.
Distance to Shoreline	Less than 20 feet.	20 to 50 feet.	Greater than 50 feet.

A Member of the University of Maine System