Is it OK to drain salt water into septic system?
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Reef-Engineer
Active Member
Resurrecting this… i was hoping it would be ok to pump waste saltwater into my septic but then i read this and the included links from RI DEM and CT state water board and it sounds like putting water softener brine in your septic is bad news.
Article with references
I know my salt water is not brine, but still concerning.
Article with references
I know my salt water is not brine, but still concerning.
I live on a farm with a well and septic system. I simply drain my saltwater (water changes, skimmate, etc.) onto gravel on the ground. I have a BRS 6-stage RODI filter that takes my ~450 TDS well water to 0 TDS, which I have used for years. I am not sure if saltwater will negatively impact a septic system; I am just cautious because I don't know and have an easy alternative way to handle it.
Reef-Engineer
Active Member
Ill probably pump mine to the street snd into a storm drain. Dont want to require more often septic pumping at $400 a pop!
I'm not buying it. I've been dumping 50 gallons or more of salt water into mine for over 8 years. I just had mine cleaned last year for the first time in 26 years. Except for a thick crust on top from waiting too long all was normal.
The paper states it reduces septic capacity and requires more frequent pumping. Not my experience. Makes me think the person who wrote it doesn't understand how a septic system even works. The tank retains solid waste and liquids flow out to a leaching system and into the earth. Mine actually flows through a sand filtration system then to a creek out back that ends up in lake Erie. I have no data or references to back up my statements just real world experience.
jabberwock
2500 Club Member
I urinate outside.
dangles
Valuable Member
Wow. Ancient history here! 
But while we’re on the subject…
I did some research on this when I moved to my new house last year (I have no prior experience with septic systems). From what I found, one issue comes from the salt water corroding concrete septic tanks. But I believe most these days are a plastic material of some kind.
Another issue might be that it could interfere with the bacteria that is supposed to break down the waste. I couldn’t find anther this was an actual issue or not since only a small amount of the total volume would be aquarium waste water.
And what about the increased salinity of the water soaking out through the leach field? The grass above much of my leach field has died. No idea if it’s related. I send out roughly 2 gallons of saltwater per day (plus whatever my water softener puts out - which as I understand it is WAY worse than anything our tanks could put out).
The last issue I couldn’t get an answer to was whether the increase in salinity of the septic water would corrode a pump/grinder if you have one. Seems like it might over time… I used to run my auto water change waste water into my sump sump reservoir. My sump pump only lasted a couple of years before it pooped the bed!
But while we’re on the subject…
I did some research on this when I moved to my new house last year (I have no prior experience with septic systems). From what I found, one issue comes from the salt water corroding concrete septic tanks. But I believe most these days are a plastic material of some kind.
Another issue might be that it could interfere with the bacteria that is supposed to break down the waste. I couldn’t find anther this was an actual issue or not since only a small amount of the total volume would be aquarium waste water.
And what about the increased salinity of the water soaking out through the leach field? The grass above much of my leach field has died. No idea if it’s related. I send out roughly 2 gallons of saltwater per day (plus whatever my water softener puts out - which as I understand it is WAY worse than anything our tanks could put out).
The last issue I couldn’t get an answer to was whether the increase in salinity of the septic water would corrode a pump/grinder if you have one. Seems like it might over time… I used to run my auto water change waste water into my sump sump reservoir. My sump pump only lasted a couple of years before it pooped the bed!
darrick001
Active Member
It's not ideal. I did not put my salt water down my septic. I ran it into my sump pump. I had a 550 gallon setup at that point. Had an automated daily water change setup until I switched to triton. If your water softener goes into your septic the 2 combined could give you some issues.
350g setup, 55g of saltwater every week for 7 years into a septic.
Lived here for 10 years and haven't had to pump the septic yet. Knock on wood.
Lived here for 10 years and haven't had to pump the septic yet. Knock on wood.
mfinn
likes zoanthids
I've been in the same house for 33 years and have always had saltwater tanks.
The water change saltwater has always gone into the septic tank. Some times as much as 100 gallons every 2-3 weeks.
I have my septic tank pumped about every 8-10 years and every time I ask the pump guy how the tank looks. I explain to him about the saltwater and every time I get the same answer.
It looks fine. No damage.
My drain field seems to be doing it's job. In the summer I have the same 2 long green strips in my backyard ( I don't water the grass in the back)
The water change saltwater has always gone into the septic tank. Some times as much as 100 gallons every 2-3 weeks.
I have my septic tank pumped about every 8-10 years and every time I ask the pump guy how the tank looks. I explain to him about the saltwater and every time I get the same answer.
It looks fine. No damage.
My drain field seems to be doing it's job. In the summer I have the same 2 long green strips in my backyard ( I don't water the grass in the back)
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jabberwock
2500 Club Member
So, what do I do with my waste tank water? I just did a water change. I have stone around my steps to the back deck. Weeds like to grow there. I have a big flat rock that I can stand halfway down the steps and pour a 5 gallon bucket out on the big flat rock. The saltwater keeps any weeds from growing up through my decorative rocks.
Reef-Engineer
Active Member
I believe the papers that i posted, BUT keep in mind they are discussing brine. Your tank water is likely closer to freshwater than to that hypersaline mix.
So in short I am not surprised so many dump wc water into septic without issue. I am also not shocked to hear that too much super saline water could displace waste in the septic tank, corrode it, and impact the field.
I think its likely ok. I am about to have our septic pumped ($400) ouch! And ill ask em then (though maybe not a scientist, at least good for anecdotal experience).
So in short I am not surprised so many dump wc water into septic without issue. I am also not shocked to hear that too much super saline water could displace waste in the septic tank, corrode it, and impact the field.
I think its likely ok. I am about to have our septic pumped ($400) ouch! And ill ask em then (though maybe not a scientist, at least good for anecdotal experience).
JohnGurley
New Member
Picking up this thread from July...what did the septic service technican find/tell you when he pumped out your septic tank?
Reef-Engineer
Active Member
I got deployed for a while and the pumping got booted to Oct 2. I will let you know what they say!
I know this is old but I just saw this and had to comment. We live in the woods so no neighbors are being offended. I pee outside whenever I have to go if I'm out. I'm teaching my 3 yo grandson to do the same. He even has a favorite tree to pee on so we call it the pee tree. I figure I waste so much water on the tanks I should go outside when possible so I don't waste a gallon of water to flush. Makes sense to me
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