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Septic systems are, by nature, slow moving creatures.  They work slowly because the micro-organisms that treat wastewater can only digest so much at a time.  Septic tanks also need some "retention time" for the solids to separate from the liquids.  This means that pouring less into your septic system allows it more time to work on each litre of waste so that each litre will be more completely treated.  It also means that pushing too much, too quickly through your septic tank can cause untreated solid material to flow into the drainage field, possibly clogging it.

Even if the pipes aren't blocked, treatment won't be adequate because solids have missed their chance to be broken down in the tank.  Instead, they are discharged to the ground while still containing dangerous bacteria, viruses and pollutants in unacceptable concentrations.

Up to 200 litres of water are discharged to your system with each load of laundry and ordinary toilets use up to 20 litres per flush.  Too many loads of laundry in a day or the extra toilet flushing from a party can load a septic tank with several times its usual daily flow.  House guests, and the extra demands they make on your septic system are another concern.  Older systems often designed with smaller tanks and drainage fields are especially vulnerable.

Fortunately it's easy to use water wisely throughout the house.  Whether washing vegetables, cleaning dishes, brushing your teeth or shaving, use the plug and water in the sink to avoid leaving taps running.

Keep showers short and to the point.  Run dishwashers and clothes washers only when full and use the cycles with the lowest number of rinses.  Try to spread the clothes washing over several days.  And when buying appliances, compare their water usage rates. A tap leaking just one drop per second wastes about 10 000 litres of water per year.  A silently leaking toilet can waste up to twenty times that amount.  Day and night water is pumped from your well, through your septic system - and all for naught!  Since most leaks are easy to find and fix, water saving starts with stopping the drips.