Sarona 715-469-3322 

Spooner Area 715-635-8653 

Stone Lake Area 715-865-2253

Open Monday - Friday 8am to 4:30pm

We are closed on weekends and all major holidays.

 At Lynn’s Honeywagon we value our employees and their families. We believe they should be spending time with them together on weekends and major holidays

Why do we need a septic system?


Every time you flush your toilet, wash clothes, or empty something down the drain you create wastewater or, to us in the business, sewage. A question that people sometimes pose is, “Why can I not simply dump this wastewater outside someplace?” There are three main reasons why waste water is harmful to the environment and thus three main reasons why we cannot do this.


One reason is that it stinks! Things tend to get very smelly very fast when wastewater is dumped directly outside. This is due in part to reason two. Wastewater contains solids and other chemicals that influence the environment. Organic material that is contained in wastewater gets broken down by bacteria within the environment. This decomposition causes the smelly odor associated with wastewater.


Wastewater also contains nitrogen and phosphates that trigger the growth of algae in lakes and streams. Excessive algae growth can block sunlight and pollute water. Suspended solids make water appear murky and can affect how well fish and other aquatic animals can breath and see. Eventually wastewater will destroy a lake or streams ability to support life.


Reason number three is wastewater contains harmful bacteria. Human waste naturally has coliform bacteria (ex. E. coli) and other bacteria that can cause deadly diseases. If this bacteria reaches a water source (such as your drinking well) the results can be fatal over a large area. Children who play outside are at an even greater risk. As they may come in direct contact with any contaminates in the area.


In order to ensure that such things do not happen to our environment we have wastewater treatment plants, septic systems, as well as laws and regulations that prohibit the dumping of raw wastewater directly into the environment.

Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Brochures

Major components of a septic system


Your septic system has four (4) major components.


How your septic system works


A septic tank is simply a large concrete or steel tank that is buried somewhere in your yard. A typical septic tank holds around 800 to 1200 gallons of water. Wastewater flows in one end and out the other. Within the tank there are three layers. Anything that floats rises to the top and forms a layer called the scum layer. Anything that sinks to the bottom forms a layer called the sludge layer. In the middle of these layers is typically clear water. However, this water contains bacteria and chemicals that act as fertilizers.


Wastewater enters the tank via sewer pipes from in the house. Since a septic tank naturally produces gases and since the gases smell, sinks have loops of pipe called P-traps which hold water in the lower loop and thus prevent the gases from flowing back into the house. The gasses flow up a vent pipe and out the top of your house. After the wastewater from the house enters the septic tank it displaces water that is already there. This water then flows out of the septic tank and into a drain field. A drain field is made up of perforated pipes buried in trenches filled with gravel. The water is slowly absorbed and filtered by the surrounding ground. The size of the drain field is directly determined by how well the ground absorbs water. In places where the ground is very slow in absorbing water (such as hard clay) the drain field has to be much larger to accomplish its task. If you have ever heard the expression “The grass is greener over the septic tank” it is true, sort of. The truth is the grass is greener, but it is over the drain field, not the septic tank. Grass takes advantage of the extra nutrients in the soil around the drain field.

How to take care of your septic system


Your septic system is designed to take care of household wastewater. However, most household soaps and cleaners should not cause a problem. It is also designed to take a limited amount of flow. Prolonged overloading can result in system failure. There are some things you can do to help make sure your septic system lasts as long or longer than you do!


What NOT to flush



With the exception of toilet paper, if you don't eat or drink it, it should not enter the septic system.

When to have your septic system pumped


Some materials in wastewater are not easily decomposed. You will need to have these materials pumped from your tank. If you have more than one tank or a tank with two compartments both should be pumped out regularly. If you fail to pump your tank regularly sludge may enter your drain field and cause serious problems. Wisconsin law dictates that septic tanks must be pumped out or inspected every three years to ensure your tank sludge level is less than one third. This time schedule is fine for a system that is working properly, but a failing system may need to be pumped out more frequently. Signs of a failing system include high surface water in the drain field, slowly flushing toilets, slow sink drains, or the backing up of wastewater into the house. If you notice any of these signs you should have your pumper inspect your system. Common causes of tank failure include failing to pump and inspect the tank regularly, lack of understanding on how your tank works, poor soil, or faulty design or installation.