Septic and Drain Rules

See The Ellsworth Village Rules and Regulations – SEPTIC SYSTEM – section 15 for details.

But especially:

  • No garbage disposal unit may be installed.
  • No disposal of wet wipes (not even wet wipes labeled “safe for septic systems”)
  • No feminine hygiene products
  • No grease
  • No Hair
  • No cat litter
  • No coffee grounds

What is appropriate to enter the system? Water, soapy water, #1, #2 and toilet paper. That’s it.

Tanks are pumped annually – if an inspection reveals violations, owners may be held liable for repairs and/or replacement of the system.

Design of the septic system

In front of each building is a tank that receives material from the condo drain pipes. From that tank, the material flows to pumps which send it to the drain or leach field behind the odd numbered units. If any inappropriate material finds its way through the system to the pumps, significant damage could occur – as well as serious inconvenience for all the residents. If the pumps are impaired in their operation, owners could see a backup of sewage within their units. If the drain field becomes filled with inappropriate solids (such as grease, cigarette butts, tampons or wet wipes) the system will fail prematurely.

Please remind visiting family and friends of the dangers above – especially young children who thrill in seeing what they can flush 🙂

Replacing our septic system would require a very large special assessment to owners. The total estimated cost is somewhere between $100,000 and $200,000.