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Septic systems protect the:environment by recycling wastewater and returning it to the natural environment, it is the job of homeowners to make sure this -happens safely and effectively. This h.appens..with.groger maintenance, regular inspections and an.understanding of home -Optic systems work. Septic: syste ms. s hou Id be evaluated and pumped at least everytwo to three years.. The City of Gem Lake has several ordinances that de:a.l with septic systems. They are a.: Septic Ordinance.# sob: and z. Septic.Ordinance 67D Please see..the ordinance section of this we.b site to vieweach:ordinance -in its entirety. Gem Lakerequires that all septic systerris`be inspected:annually:by a contractor hired bythe City. During.these inspections the. contractor looks at the following types of things: 1. Is your system in need of maintenance pumping? 2. .ls therea high liquid level in the septictank.which could cause sewage to back up into the house or cause effluent to surface onto the ground? Our inspectors use What.i5. called. a "sludge.judge" to check for.accumulated solids in the .tank. Please. note that a high reading may indicate that your system is overdue for pumping. 3.. Are manhole covers secure and in 9ood,s.hape7 4. If there is a lift station, is it operational or iri.need of repair? This could also cause sewage to back up. into the house or cause effluentto surface on the ground.. 5. Can the contractor locate the access for your septic tank? 6. is the ground around your tank soft and squishy? (Possibly not good) The City of Gem Lake charges $40 for each annual inspection. This charge is authorized by Ordinance #ao& This nspection is done primarily to protect ground water in our community. It is not done as a system compliance inspection, which is a much more thorough evaluation that is. done, for. i nsta nce, when a house is for sale. While,. the annual inspection will reveal whether your system should be pumped and is.in significant need of maintenance--�overail system maintenance should be ongoing. It is your responsibilityto keep your septic systernJn working.order. To facilitate the best possible inspection please note the.foliowing: i. To the best degree possible, all inspections with take placeduring the month of September. This will leave time for you to get your:system pumped if the inspection indicates attention is needed. 2. Please make sure your access -point foryo.ur septic is uncovered and noticeable. 3. Please reach out to our city clerk before or after the inspection to ask any questions. Please read the attached handout on Septic System.Best Management Practices .that was published by the University of Minnesota.