The Importance of Cleaning the EF-6 Effluent Filter for Your Septic System

My first cleaning of the EF-6 Effluent filter after 2 years!

Some history, First I never heard of this filter nor did I need to because for the last 35 years I used city sewers and no septic tank.

2 years ago I dug up the tank covers and found one lid cracked open (cement) and the handle was broken off. I used 2×4’s and made a form to pour a new concrete cover adding brass bolts to attach a chain. The purpose of these filters is to keep larger solids from clogging the leaching pipes which I have 4 of them each at 70 feet long.

This 1,000 gal cement tank had a baffle made from cement as well that was cracked and no longer working properly allowing the larger particles to flow to the drains, plus rain water was entering the compartment. Here is a picture of the broken baffle and top. Click here to see photo from 2 years ago.

This Effluent filter is rated as follows:

  • 1,500 GPD (gallon per day)
  • The EF-6 series filters remove solids down to 1/16″ and greatly extend the life of the septic system
  • 244 ft. of 1/16″ Filtration

After 2 years have passed I said wow I need to clear the grass and bricks off and look at the filter because it’s likely clogged, It was very close to the top! Only had 2 steps to go. Now depending on the size of your household you may need to clean this every 6-12 months, Going forward I am not going to have grass over the lid and will clean it every year in the spring.

The photos show the build-up and my new pressure treated plant stand over the lid making access so much easier.

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One Comment

  1. Can you say Yuck?…lol. What a job, very good 🙂

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