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.

What Maintenance Has Been Done?

Before planning a maintenance program, find out what maintenance has already been done. If you are buying an existing home, ask the seller a few important questions such as:

• How old is the system?
• When was the tank last pumped?
• How frequently has it been pumped?
• Have there been signs of possible failure?
• Have there been additions made to the house that would necessitate increasing the size of the system?

If the house has just been built, ask the sewage system contractor to provide an "as built" diagram that may show details not on the permit. If you have an LPP system, ask the contractor to provide details concerning the initial pump delivery rate and pressure head they set up when the pressure distribution network was approved for use.