Owning a home in Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania, often means enjoying the beauty of the Poconos. It also means you are likely responsible for your own waste management through an on-lot septic system. While many people understand that a septic tank needs pumping every few years, fewer realize the importance of the components that live downstream from that primary tank. Specifically, if your property has a leach field or a “turkey mound” located at a higher elevation than your house, you have an effluent pump and a dosing tank.
These mechanical parts are the heart of your system’s distribution. Without them, wastewater cannot reach the treatment area, leading to backups and system failure. Maintaining these components is not just about avoiding a mess; it is about protecting your financial investment and staying compliant with Pennsylvania’s environmental regulations. At Triple J Services, we see firsthand how a little bit of preventative care can save homeowners thousands of dollars in emergency repairs.
Understanding the Dosing Tank and Effluent Pump
Before you can maintain your system, you have to know what is in your yard. A standard gravity septic system relies on the earth’s pull to move liquid. However, many lots in Lackawaxen are rocky or sloped. In these cases, a dosing tank is installed after the primary septic tank. This secondary tank acts as a holding chamber for the clarified liquid, known as effluent.
The dosing tank contains an effluent pump. Unlike a grinder pump, which is designed to macerate raw sewage and solids, an effluent pump is built to move “grey water” that has already had the solids settled out in the first tank. This pump pushes the liquid through a pipe to your leach field or sand mound in specific “doses.” This prevents the absorption area from becoming oversaturated, allowing the soil to breathe and treat the water effectively.
The Importance of Annual Inspections
The most important step in maintenance is visibility. Most effluent pumps and dosing tanks are buried underground, making them easy to ignore until an alarm starts screaming. You should have a professional septic system inspectionperformed at least once a year.
During an inspection, a technician from Triple J Services checks several critical points. We look at the tank’s structural integrity to ensure no groundwater is leaking in. We also test the electrical components. Because these parts live in a damp, corrosive environment, wires can fray and connections can loosen. Catching a corroded wire in June is much better than dealing with a pump failure during a frozen January night.
Cleaning Your Effluent Filter
One of the most common causes of pump failure is a clogged effluent filter. This filter is usually located at the outlet of your primary septic tank or inside the dosing tank itself. Its job is to catch small particles of lint, hair, or debris that didn’t settle to the bottom of the tank.
If this filter is neglected, it will eventually choke off the flow of water to the pump. This can cause the pump to run dry or strain against the blockage, leading to a burnt-out motor. You should clean this filter at least once a year. It usually involves pulling the filter out and rinsing it with a garden hose so the debris falls back into the primary tank. This simple ten-minute task is the single best way to extend the life of your effluent pump.
Testing Floats and High-Water Alarms
Your effluent pump doesn’t run constantly. It is controlled by a series of float switches that bob in the water like a fishing lure. There is usually a “pump on” float, a “pump off” float, and a “high-water alarm” float.
Over time, these floats can become tangled in the pump’s piping or weighted down by “biogunk.” If the “on” float gets stuck, your tank will overflow. If the “alarm” float fails, you won’t know there is a problem until sewage is backing up into your bathtub. During your maintenance check, you should manually lift the floats to ensure they trigger the pump and the alarm correctly. Most control panels have a “push-to-test” button for the alarm, which you should use monthly.
Managing Household Waste and Solids
The best maintenance happens inside your house. Because your effluent pump is only designed to handle liquid, any solids that make it into the dosing tank are a major threat. This is why we tell our Lackawaxen neighbors that “the toilet is not a trash can.”
Avoid flushing items like baby wipes, even if they say “flushable.” These do not break down and can easily bypass the baffles in your septic tank, ending up in your dosing tank where they can wrap around the pump’s impeller. Grease and fats are also enemies of the effluent pump. They solidify in the cold water of the tank and can coat the floats, causing them to fail.
Water Conservation and System Loading
Your dosing tank and leach field are designed to handle a specific number of gallons per day. If you do six loads of laundry on a Saturday, you are “slug-loading” the system. This massive influx of water can stir up the solids in your primary tank and push them into the dosing tank.
Try to spread out high-water activities throughout the week. Using water-efficient fixtures and fixing leaky toilets quickly will reduce the strain on your effluent pump. The less the pump has to work, the longer it will last. If you have a large family or frequently host guests, you might consider our effluent pump service and replacement options to ensure your hardware is sized correctly for your actual usage.
Maintaining the Leach Field and Turkey Mound
Your dosing tank exists to serve the leach field. If the leach field is failing, the water has nowhere to go, and the pump will work overtime trying to push liquid into a saturated area. This is especially true for “Turkey Mounds,” which are elevated sand mounds common in Pennsylvania.
Do not drive vehicles or park heavy equipment on your leach field. This compacts the soil and can crush the pressurized pipes that distribute the effluent. Keep trees and large shrubs at least 30 feet away to prevent roots from seeking out the nutrient-rich water and clogging your lines. If you notice soggy spots or lush green grass over your mound, you may need leach field repair to restore proper drainage.
Dealing with Power Outages
In rural Pennsylvania, power outages are a reality. When the power goes out, your effluent pump stops working. However, you can still flush your toilets and run your sinks—for a while. The dosing tank has a “reserve capacity” designed to hold a certain amount of water during a failure.
During an outage, you must minimize your water use immediately. If you exceed the reserve capacity before the power comes back on, the tank will overflow. Once power is restored, your high-water alarm might go off because the tank is fuller than normal. This is usually okay as long as the pump starts running and the level drops within a few minutes.
Pennsylvania Act 537 and Compliance
Pennsylvania’s Act 537, the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act, requires local municipalities to implement sewage management programs. In many areas around Lackawaxen and Pike County, this means mandatory pumping and inspections every three years.
Failure to comply can result in fines, but more importantly, it can lead to undetected system failure. When Triple J Services performs an emergency septic pumping, we often find that the problem could have been avoided with a routine compliance check. Keeping accurate records of your pumpings and inspections is vital for the eventual resale of your home. You can find more information about these local requirements on the Pike County Conservation District website.
Warning Signs of Pump or Tank Failure
You should listen to what your system is telling you. If you notice any of the following, call a professional immediately:
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The Alarm is Sounding: This is your system’s way of telling you the water level is too high.
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Slow Drains: If all the drains in your house are sluggish, the dosing tank might be full.
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Odors: A strong “rotten egg” smell near the dosing tank can indicate a backup or a broken seal.
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Circuit Breaker Trips: If the breaker for your pump keeps tripping, there is likely a short in the motor or the wiring.
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Gurgling Pipes: This often happens when air is being trapped in the lines by a rising water level.
If your pipes are clogged but the pump seems fine, we offer high-pressure drain jetting to clear out years of buildup and grease that standard snaking can’t touch.
Why Choose Triple J Services?
Triple J Services is a local, family-owned business that understands the specific challenges of Pennsylvania terrain. We don’t just pump tanks; we provide comprehensive excavation and utility trenching to ensure your water and septic lines are installed correctly from the start. Our team is dedicated to educating our customers because we believe a well-informed homeowner is our best partner in environmental protection.
Our about us page explains our commitment to the Lackawaxen community. Whether you need a simple grinder pump repair or a full system replacement, we have the heavy equipment and the expertise to get the job done right. We also specialize in French drains and drainage solutions to keep groundwater away from your septic components, preventing the “inflow” that causes so many pump failures.
Establishing a Maintenance Schedule
Consistency is key. Create a “Septic File” where you keep your system map, your permit, and your service receipts. We recommend the following schedule:
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Monthly: Press the “test” button on your alarm panel.
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Annually: Have a professional inspect the floats, wires, and clean the effluent filter.
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Every 3 Years: Pump the primary septic tank and the dosing tank to remove accumulated solids (as per PA guidelines).
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Seasonally: Check the leach field for signs of ponding or surface water runoff issues.
By following these steps, you ensure that your effluent pump and dosing tank remain silent, reliable partners in your home’s infrastructure.
For more technical information on how septic systems work and the different types of pumps used in residential applications, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers extensive resources and diagrams for homeowners.
Quick Recap: Effluent Pump and Dosing Tank Care
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Identify Your System: Know if you have a dosing tank and where your effluent pump is located.
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Annual Checks: Schedule a yearly inspection to test floats, alarms, and electrical connections.
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Clean the Filter: A clean effluent filter prevents pump burnout and blockages.
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Watch Your Waste: No wipes, grease, or chemicals should ever go down your drains.
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Conserve Water: Spread out laundry and showers to avoid overloading the dosing tank.
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Protect the Mound: Keep vehicles and trees away from your leach field or sand mound.
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Stay Compliant: Follow Pennsylvania Act 537 guidelines for 3-year pumping and inspection cycles.
Is your septic alarm going off, or are you due for a routine check-up? Don’t wait for a backup! Contact Triple J Services today to schedule your effluent pump maintenance or septic inspection in Lackawaxen, PA.
