What to do if Your System Fails

Call the Maine Department of Health Engineering, at 289-5672. They may refer you to your local plumbing inspector or a licensed site evaluator.
Exercise caution when working near an opened septic system. Toxic and explosive gases present are hazardous. Never enter a septic tank!
Have your septic tank pumped. This is a temporary solution, especially when it is combined with drastic water conservation.
Conserve water in your home. This is particularly effective if your system has not failed completely. It can help lessen the problem for a short time.
Fence off the area. If effluent is seeping to the surface, prevent people and pets from coming into contact with it.
Have a licensed site evaluator design a new system or an extension of your existing system.
Connect to a community sewer system, if one is available. Although the long-term costs may seem high, the benefit of reduced worry and lowered maintenance for the homeowner are often worth the cost.