When we built our house 40+ years ago, we had to have a well dug and a septic system to dispose of sewage. I had reservations about both but the guy who designed our house assured me we wouldn’t have a problem with either. And he was mostly right. We had to have our well worked on following a lightening strike but our septic system has been trouble-free.

It recently occurred to me we have never had our septic tank emptied. In forty years! That didn’t seem possible but I’m 99% certain. So I contacted a company that inspects and empties septic tanks.

John and Jose showed yesterday and put a few hours of back-breaking work into digging down to our tank (18 inches) in search of the lid to the tank. They never found it (the lid) and had to cut a hole in the tank and install a “riser” with a new lid.

Looking down into the hole they cut in the tank, I could see the tank was nearly full. John explained that we had never had an odor problem because the tank and the drain field was properly installed, using good materials.

Like an aerator (see photo below). Most aerobic septic systems require a septic tank aerator to assist in the clarification of your wastewater. … This bacteria breaks down the wastewater rendering it harmless to the environment. If you have an aerobic system a properly functioning aerator is absolutely necessary. In the photo below you can see our had long ago given up the ghost.

In a few days the company will send a special truck to pump out the septic and — once it arrives — install a new aerator. If all this work sounds expensive, it is. But this is a part of rural living where skimping is a mistake.

Update (12/8/22): Smoke test