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The Septic System Owner's Manual
More than 28 million households have septic systems, but few homeowners know how they operate or how to maintain them. This clearly written, illustrated guide addresses that need, emphasizing conventional septic systems powered by gravity flow, filtering through soil, and the natural soil organisms that purify sewage. The book discusses maintenance, what to do if things go wrong, and alternative systems such as mounds and sand filters. Additional chapters cover graywater systems, composting toilets, and a unique history of water-borne waste disposal. This expanded edition contains three new chapters.
- GenresNonfictionHow To
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 27, 2016
We just bought our first home, complete with septic system - which neither of us has ever lived with before! When we moved in, we realized we knew absolutely nothing (beyond what friends had told us) about what we can and can't put down the drains, water usage, and how the thing actually, ya know, works. I checked this book out from the library, and immediately bought my own copy after reading a few chapters. I have a feeling this book will be invaluable!
We were lucky enough that the previous owner installed a new system as part of the deal, so we certainly didn't want to mess up a brand new system. We knew that we wanted to do it right from the start with maintenance and upkeep, etc. I feel so much more confident about it now! We know the do's and don'ts, things to watch for, and it has great chapters on troubleshooting and what to do if something does go wrong with your system. Highly recommended for anyone who has a septic system!
We were lucky enough that the previous owner installed a new system as part of the deal, so we certainly didn't want to mess up a brand new system. We knew that we wanted to do it right from the start with maintenance and upkeep, etc. I feel so much more confident about it now! We know the do's and don'ts, things to watch for, and it has great chapters on troubleshooting and what to do if something does go wrong with your system. Highly recommended for anyone who has a septic system!
February 28, 2026
Just look at the author's Lloyd Kahn's photo. That is a face you can trust.
The book is everything you would want. It is instructive, clearly written, well diagrammed, and pitched at a level that is easily understood. My wife didn't know a thing about septic systems, and I was able to explain the idea quite clearly pointing to Kahn's diagrams.
The amusing, and frightening aspect of Lloyd's book is in the horror stories he tells of civic agencies run amok. Driven by developers with their own interests in mind, certainly not those of existing homeowners, they attempt to force ruinously expensive "solutions" in places where problems don't exist. Kahn's book will inform you about the issues involved and also suggest how to defend yourself.
For what it is worth, the ideas translate pretty well to Ukraine. One finds the same kinds of hardware available. The major difference is the intrusiveness of local authorities. Here you just spec out what you think will do the job and build it. No fuss. But - big caveat - it remains important to keep septic away from well water and to have an adequate drainage field. One thing I might have hoped for is a formula for computing the size of a drainage field. I suspect that it is so dependent on local soils as to be impossible; if so it would be nice to see that fact in black and white.
In any case, an excellent, easy, informative read.
The book is everything you would want. It is instructive, clearly written, well diagrammed, and pitched at a level that is easily understood. My wife didn't know a thing about septic systems, and I was able to explain the idea quite clearly pointing to Kahn's diagrams.
The amusing, and frightening aspect of Lloyd's book is in the horror stories he tells of civic agencies run amok. Driven by developers with their own interests in mind, certainly not those of existing homeowners, they attempt to force ruinously expensive "solutions" in places where problems don't exist. Kahn's book will inform you about the issues involved and also suggest how to defend yourself.
For what it is worth, the ideas translate pretty well to Ukraine. One finds the same kinds of hardware available. The major difference is the intrusiveness of local authorities. Here you just spec out what you think will do the job and build it. No fuss. But - big caveat - it remains important to keep septic away from well water and to have an adequate drainage field. One thing I might have hoped for is a formula for computing the size of a drainage field. I suspect that it is so dependent on local soils as to be impossible; if so it would be nice to see that fact in black and white.
In any case, an excellent, easy, informative read.
July 4, 2022
This was a very informative book that has de-mystified septic tanks and drainfields. I especially liked the chapter on the history of waste removal and treatment. It's astounding that we didn't really develop the modern septic system until after WWI! Prior to that, we emptied sewage into waterways or the ground untreated. Yecchh!
July 22, 2017
A must read for NEW septic tank owners.
April 22, 2022
Helpful to understanding the process. But too written too many years ago to be of much current help.
April 1, 2013
"Approximately one-fourth (26 million) of the estimated 124 million housing units in the USA are served by septic tanks or cesspools."
And my house is one of them. This is the best book out there for learning to live peacefully with a septic system. It covers the standard practices and includes some exciting alternative systems that have recently been developed. (Um, well, they're exciting to me as a building contractor - and as a homeowner.) I learned a lot. Wonderful funky illustrations, too.
And my house is one of them. This is the best book out there for learning to live peacefully with a septic system. It covers the standard practices and includes some exciting alternative systems that have recently been developed. (Um, well, they're exciting to me as a building contractor - and as a homeowner.) I learned a lot. Wonderful funky illustrations, too.
June 10, 2013
This paperback manual offers detailed information on a serious topic with humor and a non-technical approach. I've owned (and therefore operated) four different septic systems and wish that I had discovered this book years ago. Its coverage is impressive both in quality and range. Prospective home buyers off the municipal sewer system should definitely review this book early in their search.
October 15, 2008
I learned a lot about septic tanks from this book but put it down when I realizes I have an aerator system and not an anaerobic system, which is what the book focused on.
December 15, 2014
Just what I needed to help me understand the quirks of being the owner of a septic system.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews