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Bad odors and excess sludge are two signs of potential septic tank problems. Summer heat only makes those odors worse, signaling that something must be done to foster a healthy microbiome in the tank. Before those smells ripen into full “bloom,” why not tackle the problem by giving your septic tank a healthy boost of beneficial bacteria? Bionetix^® International explains why and how that can be an easy way to tame your septic tank smells this summer.

Why Does My Septic Tank Smell So Bad?

Bad smells in septic tanks often indicate that the microorganisms responsible for waste biodegradation are not functioning efficiently. Here are several possible reasons your microbiome may not be flourishing:

• A high influx of FOG (fats, oils, or greases) or other waste from heavy use (e.g., open houses or other summer gatherings) has left behind too much organic loading for the current microbial population to keep up with.
• Harsh cleaning chemicals or root killers have killed off a large share of the microbial population.
• Existing microbes without enough oxygen to carry out aerobic waste digestion have flipped the switch to anaerobic digestion, which creates strong septic odors from gases such as hydrogen sulfide.

How Can I Get My Septic Tank Microbiome Back on Track?

The best plan of action is to stop the problem before it starts by adding a regular maintenance dose of beneficial bacteria. At other times, a shock dose of microorganisms or an oxygen boost will be needed. Treatment scenarios may include the following:

• Flush an ECO-SEPT^™ pouch down the toilet once a month. Each pouch contains 1.5 billion CFU per gram of beneficial bacteria selected for their ability to degrade common organic waste like grease, proteins, and starches, plus biological nutrients and stimulants to keep the microbial population thriving.
• Add FIZZY-TAB^™ to the septic tank monthly if a higher dose of 5 billion CFU per gram is warranted (more CFUs mean more bacteria working faster to restore the system).
• Restore the microbial population with a shock dose of BIOBOOSTER 1T^™ (a tablet containing one trillion beneficial bacteria) in worst case scenarios when the system has experienced extreme die-off (e.g., after chemical disruptions or system overloads).
• Add AEROBOOSTER-O2^™ as a slow-release source of oxygen to help aerobic bacteria recover if the underlying cause of sluggish microbial activity and bad odors is a lack of oxygen (oxygen helps good bacteria work efficiently; low oxygen leads to slower, smellier breakdown)

In addition to reducing smells, better microbial action can also cut down on sludge and reduce pumping frequency and costs by accelerating the biodegradation of solid waste, reducing how much sludge stays in the tank.

Now Is the Time to Tame Bad Odors!

Bad odors coming from septic tanks are not something you have to live with. They are something that can and should be resolved. One important step toward doing so is making sure your septic tank has the microflora and oxygen it needs to carry out waste digestion processes efficiently. Be sure to contact Bionetix^® International for help selecting the correct treatments and dosages that make sense to keep your septic system in top working order. Then regularly check odors, sludge level, or system flow to make sure the system is on track. Don’t wait for summer smells to get out of hand. Take time now to tame them with proper microbial maintenance.

Keywords: septic tank smells, septic tank maintenance, bad odors coming from septic tank, bioaugmentation, Bionetix, why does my septic tank smell so bad, septic tank problems, oxygen booster, how to reduce sludge pumping frequency, ECO-SEPT 

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“Did you take your vitamins today?” Just like people need nutrients, so do the microbes in your wastewater and soil. Bionetix^® International is here to help you make sure your “bugs” are well-nourished with MACRO N/P^™.

Why Do Macronutrients Matter?

Beneficial bacteria need the right balance of nitrogen and phosphorus to support cell growth, metabolism, enzyme synthesis, and energy production, among other functions. Without these nutrients, microbial growth and activity are sluggish. Wastewater does not fully biodegrade. Contaminated soil stays contaminated. On the other hand, too much nitrogen can cause problems and slow down the cleanup process. That is why it is important to be able to recognize nutrient deficiency and stimulate microbial activity with the right proportion of nitrogen and phosphorus when needed.

Signs of Nutrient Deficiency

Nutrient deficiency is very common in petroleum contaminated soil, which requires an optimal level of 136 mg/kg of nitrogen to support bioremediation. In wastewater, nutrient deficiency most commonly appears in industrial sewage (rather than municipal waste), affected by low-nutrient effluents such as those from paper mills or palm oil mills, or fluctuations in the use of cleaning chemicals. Such nitrogen/phosphorus deficiencies can manifest themselves in excess sludge, poor flocculation, and slimy gray foam. Manure lagoons and compost piles that have dried out over time also tend to be deficient in the macronutrients nitrogen and phosphorus.

Solving Nutrient Deficiency with MACRO N/P™

Once identified, these problems are relatively easy to solve with nutritional supplements like MACRO N/P^™. MACRO N/P^™ offers a nitrogen-phosphorus ratio of 5:1, which is typically the ideal balance to stimulate healthy microbial growth. David S. Llano (Inside Sales Rep & Product Support at Bionetix^® International), explained why this is the case: “Microbes need more nitrogen than phosphorus for making enzymes, proteins, and nucleic acids, but both are essential. A ~5:1 N:P ratio maximizes microbial activity without leaving excess nutrients that could cause environmental harm.”

If you think your soil, wastewater, manure, or compost piles need some biostimulation this year, contact your Bionetix^® representative today to check nutrient levels and get expert dosing recommendations!

Keywords: wastewater problems, nutrient deficiency, contaminated soil, soil bioremediation, biostimulation, bioaugmentation, poor flocculation, how much nitrogen do I need for soil bioremediation, Bionetix, industrial wastewater problems

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