EPA opened SepticSmart Week on September 14, with the 2026 campaign running through September 18. The agency is asking households and wastewater professionals to focus on practical maintenance, water use and protection of the area where a septic system treats household wastewater.
The announcement says more than one in five U.S. homes relies on septic systems. Its advice includes keeping grease and unsuitable waste out of drains, avoiding concentrated water use and arranging pumping at intervals recommended for the system. It also calls attention to damage that vehicles and roots can cause around the drainfield.
Turn the reminder into a service record
A useful first step is administrative: locate the most recent inspection and pumping reports. Record who performed the work, what was found and what follow-up was recommended. If you recently bought the property, check the documents supplied at closing and ask the local permitting authority where system records are kept.
Before booking a visit, ask the service provider which records would help it prepare. Request a clear description of whether the appointment covers inspection, pumping or additional work. Keep those tasks separate in the estimate, and ask for a written record of findings afterward.
Coordinate work elsewhere in the yard
Tell a roofer, remodeler or landscaper where the septic components are before agreeing on equipment staging or deliveries. Ask how the work plan will keep those areas protected. If the location is uncertain, resolve it before vehicles or materials arrive.
For home-service businesses, the campaign offers a practical reason to ask about underground wastewater infrastructure during project planning. Adding a question to the site checklist can make responsibilities easier to discuss with the homeowner and any septic specialist.
EPA’s system-care guidance provides a reference for the maintenance conversation. Use it with the property’s records and qualified local advice; a national awareness week does not establish the condition of an individual system.
Prepare for your next project
Read how to compare contractor estimates and how to check contractor credentials.
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