Do septic tank additives work?
The State of Washington has released a pamphlet on septic tank additives, The Truth About Septic System Additives (Washington State Department of Health, Community Environmental Health Program, PO Box 47826, Olympia, WA 98504-7826, (360) 586-1249 or Fax (360) 664-3071). They offer a list of products that are unlikely to cause harm to a septic tanks operation. But they caution “approved additives” will not necessarily improve the function of your septic tank. Additives are costly, and typically do not positively contribute to the natural process of decomposition. While it is difficult to make an unequivocal statement about additives due to the paucity of scientifically valid testing, the problem is that septic systems are best suited to warm, dry climates. Secondary treatment such as extended aeration is necessary to properly breakdown wastewater before discharging into the environment for further treatment.
