Tissue's Destroy the septic tank?

[GregC]

In a properly working septic system toilet paper or Kleenex really should be of no problem to the system. Generally, newer systems have a weir casted into the structure prior to the discharge pipe. This weir allows for a shallower flow exiting the structure thus trapping 'floaters' in the tank and not allowing them into the discharge pipe. The few pieces of material that do make it past the weir will most often degrade rapidly enough not to cause problems to the system. One of the most overlooked reasons for system failures is laundry water discharge into the system. Washers that do not have lint filters release those same fibers you find on your dryers lint screen into the system. Those fibers do make their way into the leach field and coat the sand layer of the field, not allowing the wastewater to perc through the bed.