Septic system instructions for guests (template)

Why we're asking

• This home is on a septic system, not a city sewer. Everything that goes down the drains stays in a tank on the property, so a few simple habits keep it working for your whole stay.

The toilet

• Please flush only toilet paper and what comes from your body.
• Please don't flush wipes (even ones labelled flushable), tissues, paper towels, sanitary products, condoms, cotton swabs, dental floss or medicine.
• A lidded bin for everything else is in each bathroom: [Location].

The sinks

• Please don't pour cooking grease, oil or fat down the drain. Let it cool, then put it in [Grease container or the trash].
• Please scrape food scraps into [Compost or trash bin] rather than the sink. [The house has no garbage disposal].
• Please don't pour paint, chemicals or bleach down any drain.

Water use

• If you're doing laundry, please spread loads out, ideally [one or two a day], rather than many in a row.
• Shorter showers help too, especially with a full house.

Outside

• The septic tank and field are at [Location, e.g. the grassy area behind the house]. Please don't park, drive or set up tents or the fire pit there.

Signs of trouble

• Please text [Host name] at [Host phone] right away if you notice:
• Toilets or drains that are slow or gurgle.
• A sewage smell inside or outside.
• Soggy ground or puddles over the septic area.
• If a toilet starts to overflow, close the water valve behind it [Valve location] and stop using water until you hear from us.