The Hidden Role of Septic Tank Filters in Protecting Your System

When septic system professionals refer to septic tank filters, they’re typically referring to the effluent filter installed inside the output baffle. This filter catches any solids that would otherwise be taken up in the output baffle and pumped to the drain field. For property owners, there are a few reasons why it’s a good idea to have an effluent filter in place and to prevent solids from reaching the drain field. For example, septic tank filters are responsible for the following:

Preventing clogs in your drain field and system failures
Preventing performance issues that can result in backups
Protecting groundwater quality by preventing drain field issues

If you’re having a new onsite sewage facility (OSSF) installed, it will likely come with septic tank filters already designed into the output baffle. Septic filters are also required by many counties and are mentioned in the Texas Administrative Code, so they may be required for your installation as well, depending on your property’s layout and the presence of groundwater.

Why Septic Tank Filters are a Good Idea for Your Wastewater System

Whether you’re installing a new septic system or maintaining an existing one, an effluent filter can provide several benefits for your OSSF, including:

Better septic system reliability – Septic tank filters sit in the output baffle, which is the last step before the treated wastewater is directed to the drain (or leach) field. Its job is to catch any solids before they get that far because solid effluent has a tendency to get trapped and potentially cause clogs in drain lines. By protecting your leach field from solids, you’ll reduce the chances of a significant clog and, by extension, a serious backup or system failure, and preventing one of those is well worth the investment.
Better septic system performance – Solid effluent is bad news for your drain field, even if it doesn’t cause a major wastewater system failure. Solids can also interfere with the drain lines, to the extent that it reduces drainage efficiency and your system’s ability to handle larger volumes of water. If you’ve noticed that your septic system is having trouble following heavy water use, it may be due to effluent-related performance issues in your drain field.
Better effluent and drainage quality – The primary goal of your OSSF is to ensure adequate wastewater management on your property. An important secondary goal is to maximize effluent quality before it is discharged into the drain field. This protects the environment and groundwater quality, which may be necessary to adhere to local environmental ordinances.

Together, these benefits will extend the life of your septic system and minimize the likelihood of major system failures. However, if you do elect to have a septic tank filter, there are additional maintenance-related considerations to keep in mind.

What are the Maintenance Considerations for Septic Tank Filters?

Septic tank filters will generally last as long as the septic system itself, as long as they don’t sustain physical damage. Occasionally, the filter will need to be cleaned to restore its performance and prevent over-soiling. This comes with a couple maintenance considerations that property owners should be aware of, including:

Septic tank filters can only be accessed by opening up the septic tank – Your septic system’s output baffle is located inside the tank, so it can only be accessed by accessing the tank itself. All modern septic systems are designed with an access riser, which makes it easy for septic experts to reach the output baffle and effluent filter for proper cleaning.
If the effluent filter is excessively soiled, it may cause a backup – It’s important to clean your septic tank filter on time, because if it is overly soiled, it will likely reduce output flow from out of the OSSF. This could lead to a backup inside the septic tank itself, which can be avoided by cleaning the filter when needed.
Many property owners clean their filters during a septic tank pump out – How often should you clean your septic tank filter? It depends on the size of your tank, the size of your facilities and how much water your property uses. A rule that many property owners stick to is to schedule a filter cleaning in tandem with a septic tank pump out, as your septic professional will already have to access the tank to pump it out.
For reference, most septic tanks need to be pumped out every 3-5 years.

As long as septic tank filter maintenance is considered and included in your overall wastewater system maintenance plan, it’s generally simple to keep your filter in good shape. However, since the septic tank will need to be accessed to clean out the filter, it’s something most property owners will leave to their septic system expert.

Septic Tank Filters Help Protect Wastewater Systems When They’re Professionally Installed

Septic tank filters provide a valuable layer of protection for wastewater systems, preventing solid effluent from damaging its drainage efficiency or causing an expensive failure. They’re recommended for all new septic systems and make sense for a lot of existing septic tanks as well.

Whether it’s going into a new or existing septic tank, the filter should be installed by an experienced septic professional. Reputable septic companies know how and where to access the septic tank and output baffle. They can recommend the right septic tank filter for your system, install it properly and provide ongoing maintenance when your filter needs cleaning. That way, you’ll extract maximum value from your septic tank filter and maximum protection for your wastewater system. Reach out to a reputable septic system professional in Houston to schedule a filter installation or cleaning and keep your system working as it should.