If you use an on-site sewage system, or if you are buying a home with an on-site system, this owner's guide can help you be sure that your on-site sewage system is used and maintained properly.

Signs of Possible On-Site Sewage System Problems

• Sewage backing up into your toilets, tubs or sinks.
• Slowly draining fixtures; particularly after it has rained.
• The smell of raw sewage accompanied by extremely soggy soil over the drainfield.
• Sewage discharged over the ground or in nearby ditches or woods. Note: In the LPP system sewage may come to the ground surface when the pump is turned on and then disappear after the pump turns off.
• An alarm, flashing red light or beeping in the house, garage, crawl space, or in the yard, indicating a pump is not working properly.
• Water-well test results indicating bacterial contamination.