Are Enzyme-Based Treatments Safe for Septic Systems?

If you have a septic system, then you may be wondering if there’s any way to avoid clogs and overflows, improve its performance, or even increase the time between pumpings.

You will find a lot of companies selling enzyme-based treatments that are advertised as magic septic solutions designed to naturally enhance septic system performance. Unfortunately, not only are these treatments not recommended by the EPA, but they can actually do more damage to your system than good.

In this guide, we will cover what enzymes do, how they contribute to effective septic system performance, why adding enzyme-based septic treatments can be counterproductive, and what you can safely do to maximize septic system performance.

If you need to brush up on your septic tank basics, read our guide: How Does a Septic Tank Work?

Key Points About Enzymes and Septic Systems

• Naturally-occurring enzymes and bacteria are important for proper waste breakdown in septic systems, and require a natural balance to be effective.
• Artificially boosting the extracellular enzymes in a septic system with treatment products should be avoided, because they can unintentionally cause clogs, blockages, and environmental contamination.
• Common household products that contain enzymes aren’t a cause for concern, but you should always avoid harsh chemical cleaners that can kill necessary bacteria and disrupt waste breakdown.
• The best way to care for your septic system is by following a regular inspection and pumping schedule, and employing septic-friendly daily habits with P.E.M. (Proper waste disposal, Efficient water usage, and Maintaining your drain field),

What are Enzymes?

Enzymes are proteins that accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed during the process. There are two main types of enzymes, intercellular and extracellular.

Intercellular enzymes work inside of cells and are involved in protein synthesis, DNA replication and metabolism, while extracellular enzymes are primarily involved in digestion and decomposition. In terms of septic systems, we will be discussing extracellular enzymes.

The Role of Enzymes in Septic Systems

Extracellular enzymes are biological catalysts that break down waste into smaller pieces, making it easier for bacteria to consume, allowing for faster and more complete waste degradation. Leveraging the combination of bacteria and enzymes is the best way to break down waste effectively and sustainably.

Septic systems require a delicate balance to function properly, and most of the time, the naturally-occurring levels of bacteria and enzymes, in addition to yeasts, fungi, and other microorganisms, already present in the septic system are enough to effectively handle wastewater treatment.

Problems with Adding Enzyme Treatments to Septic Systems

If bacteria and enzymes are the ultimate combination for waste breakdown, then adding more extracellular enzymes to your septic system with a treatment product should be a good idea, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case.

If you artificially boost the level of extracellular enzymes in a septic system, it can interfere with effective waste breakdown, and may even cause costly damage. Let’s take a closer look at the problems associated with adding enzyme treatments to septic systems.

Blockages and Clogs

One of the main issues with adding extracellular enzymes to septic systems is that over a certain threshold they may actually increase the solid levels, rather than lower them.

In a properly functioning septic system, as wastewater travels into the septic tank, natural anaerobic bacteria and extracellular enzymes begin to digest the waste, separating the floatable matter, like fats, oils, and grease, from the solids and wastewater. The liquid, known as effluent, is eventually discharged from the septic tank to the leach field through a series of pipes, chambers, or other special units until the effluent can be slowly released into the soil.

However, if you artificially augment the amount of enzymes in the system, research suggests that the increased anaerobic decomposition of solids can cause the formation of an abundance of methane gas. These methane bubbles push solids up from the settled portion of the septic tank, increasing the amount of solids flowing into the drainfield where blockages and clogs may occur.

Environmental Contamination

Another problem with adding extracellular enzymes to septic systems is that the increased number of enzymes can actually over process the waste in the septic tank.

The scum layer in a septic tank holds fats, oils, grease, and floatables, preventing their escape into the leach field, or soil absorption system. The overabundance of enzymes can contribute to the breakdown of the scum layer, increasing its mobility, and allowing it to flow out of the septic tank and into the drainfield.

When this occurs, unwanted nutrients and byproducts may be released into the environment, leading to groundwater contamination.

Are Common Household Products that Contain Enzymes Safe?

Yes! While dish and laundry detergents often include enzymes, when used normally, they typically do not contain enough to disrupt septic system functionality.

When purchasing detergents, we recommend purchasing septic-safe options, which are typically phosphate-free and biodegradable. It is important to note that overusing any detergent, particularly those with harsh chemicals, may disrupt the balance of bacteria and enzymes in your septic system and throw the system out of whack.

What Treatment Products Are Safe for Septic Systems?

In general, properly functioning septic systems do not need additional additives or treatments, and most treatments on the market are unnecessary, ineffective, or even dangerous to use. However, there are a few instances where high-quality septic system treatments can be safe and beneficial.

For example, Unique Septic Field Rejuvenator can be added to the distribution chamber between the septic tank and the leach field (soil absorption area), allowing for restoration and rejuvenation of the laterals without causing resolubilization of solids in the septic tank.

When it comes to cleaning toilets, avoid harsh chemicals and toxic cleaners, and opt for septic-safe options like GoodHaven Toilet Bowl Cleaning Liquid or GoodHaven Foaming Toilet Bowl Cleaner Sticks that will not disrupt healthy septic system functionality.

Always avoid treatments that artificially increase the amount of bacteria and enzymes, because they may significantly disrupt waste breakdown, damage the septic tank itself, reduce the effectiveness of your septic system, or negatively impact the groundwater.

Important Note: There are many septic tank treatments on the market that advertise that using the product can lengthen the time between septic tank pumps. This information is incorrect, and can lead to septic tank malfunctions. It is important to maintain a regular pumping schedule regardless of any septic tank treatments you may be using.

GoodHaven: Eco-Friendly, Septic-Safe Cleaning Products

Today’s cleaning routines can be hard on septic systems, and if you find yourself looking for safe and effective cleaning products that are tough on dirt, but gentle on septic systems — then look no further than GoodHaven.

The concept of GoodHaven is simple: septic-focused cleaning products that are safe to go down your drains. Each product includes a proprietary, bacteria-based formulation that will not disrupt the natural balance in your septic system. Choose from the new product lineup that includes a premium toilet bowl cleaning liquid and foaming toilet bowl cleaning sticks that allow you to clean your home with confidence.

Backed by certified septic system technicians and rigorously tested for safety and efficacy, you can’t go wrong with GoodHaven.

Expert Tips for Septic System Care

If you really want to know how to keep your septic system running smoothly, then it all goes back to these four basic principles.

Regular Septic System Inspections & Pumping

According to the EPA, you should have your septic system inspected at least every 1-3 years, and pumped every 3-5 years. This is the baseline recommendation that can help ensure that your septic system continues running properly long term.

However, if you have an alternative system installed on your property that includes electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components, your system should be inspected more often, typically once per year.

If you aren’t sure when your septic tank was last pumped, or you’re worried your septic tank may be full, consider reading our guide: How to Check if a Septic Tank is Full

Septic-Friendly Daily Habits: P.E.M

Septic system professionals inspect and maintain your septic system, but your day-to-day habits determine how well your system works overall. Septic-friendly daily habits are very easy to remember with P.E.M. (Proper waste disposal, Efficient water usage, and Maintaining your drain field).

1. Proper Waste Disposal

Everything that goes down your drains ends up in your septic system, and can directly affect how well your septic system operates.

Only flushing human waste and toilet paper down the toilet, and limiting what goes down drains and sinks, can help reduce the accumulation of solids.

Avoid the following to maintain a well-functioning septic system:

• Avoid chemical drain openers for clogged drains, instead use a high-quality, bio-enzymatic drain opener like Unique Super Digest-It, boiling water, or a plumbing snake.
• Never pour grease or cooking oil down the drain.
• Never pour solvents, oil-based paints, or toxic cleaners down the drain.
• Limit, or completely eliminate, the use of the garbage disposal. This includes things that may seem safe like food waste, vegetable peelings, egg shells, and fruit skins.

As we’ve discussed, septic tanks naturally house bacteria and enzymes that break down and digest waste. Pouring harsh chemicals or toxins down your drain can kill these organisms, which can harm your septic system.

If you still have questions about using a garbage disposal while you’re on a septic system, review our guide: Can You Use a Garbage Disposal with a Septic System?

2. Efficient Water Usage

The main thing that can cause problems with septic systems is overuse.

All the water the household sends down the pipes ends up in the septic system, so efficient water use improves the operation, and reduces the risk of malfunctions.

Planning water usage during peak times, and installing high-efficiency fixtures, can significantly reduce costly problems and the need for additional pumping services.

For more information about the costs associated with septic tank pumping, read our guide: How Often Should a Septic Tank Be Pumped?

3. Maintain Your Drain Field

Your drainfield, leach field, or soil absorption field is an important part of your septic system. This component of the septic system removes contaminants from the liquid that is discharged from your septic tank.

If your septic tank is overfilled with solids, or the solid and scum layers are disrupted by an overabundance of extracellular enzymes, clogged pipes may prevent proper waste dispersal, and lead to system failure.

Protect your drainfield by not parking on or driving over it, being mindful of how and where you plant trees and plants in relation to it, and keeping roof and drainage systems away to prevent excess water from hindering the wastewater treatment process.

For a full breakdown on drainfields, read our guide: What is a Leach Field?

Still Have Questions About Your Septic System?

If you have questions about septic tank treatments, pumping, care, or you’re experiencing septic problems, then we’ve got you covered.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the expert Customer Service Team at GoodHaven — we’re ready to help you find answers and resolve septic system problems in no time.

The Bottom Line on Enzymes and Septic Systems

Septic systems naturally include a perfect balance of anaerobic bacteria and extracellular enzymes that effectively break down household waste. This delicate balance is what keeps your septic system operating properly.

When you use common cleaning products like dish soaps and laundry detergents, some additional enzymes may make their way into your septic system without causing any harm. However, using septic treatments that include additional extracellular enzymes should be avoided — the radical boost in enzyme activity in your septic system may actually increase the solids in the system, causing disastrous clogs, blockages, and environmental contamination.

For best results, follow a regular septic inspection and pumping schedule, use water efficiently, properly dispose of waste, and maintain your drainfield. Establishing good daily habits is the easiest and most reliable way to keep your septic system running smoothly.