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With the clothes washer draining into the septic system, doesn’t that kill the bacteria needed to properly dispose of waste materials? Is it proper to have the clothes washer water drain out or be by passed into a french drain?  thanks…

Brian

Dear Brian,

The code says that all wastewater, including laundry, is supposed to be directed into the septic system.   The laundry water contains the same bacterial contamination as the shower water or toilet water although in theory lower concentrations.  The concern is the ability of the wet area creating a breeding ground for fly and insects which in turn create their own set of problems.

The discharge of laundry water into a french drain or dry well is a common practice.   Without installing a lint filter on the laundry it will quickly clog and fail.  Lint and laundry detergents will clog the soil and require replacement of the french drains or dry wells periodically.   The septic tank will help to trap the lint where it is removed during normal septic service.   We still recommend laundry lint filters AND septic tank effluent filters even with septic systems to aid in protecting the systems from premature system failures.

The best system is to direct the laundry to the septic system, install the laundry lint filter and the septic tank effluent filter, pump the septic tank COMPLETELY every two years provided you are not overloading the system (maximum of one person per bedroom) and be careful of what cleaners you use and what you flush into the system.

Keep the trash out and the bacteria healthy.

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