The key to preventing your septic system from failing is proper maintenance. Regularly pumping the tank, being careful about what you put down the drains, and avoiding such things as planting trees over the field or covering the system with permanent patios and home additions are important to keeping the system running well. Water conservation is a method of keeping a marginal system operating, and it is also an excellent way to prevent future problems.

Proper initial design is also critical to preventing your system from failing. Many septic systems are doomed from the start because they are put in poor locations or constructed improperly.

Be sure a new system is installed in an area with proper soil conditions and at sufficient distances from your house and well (these factors are regulated by local health department codes). Also make sure the system is designed to meet your present and future needs.

If, for example, you are building a small home but plan to enlarge it as your family grows, design the septic system accordingly. Also ask your contractor about including such useful features as junction boxes and observation ports, which aid in assessing the system's condition.