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What to do during and after a power outage
Learn how to avoid a septic system disaster when there is a power outage.
If you continue to use water by flushing toilets, washing dishes, or taking showers during a power outage, sewage may back up into the house!
During a power outage
Conserve water
It's important that you conserve water during extended power outages. Without electricity, certain parts of septic systems can’t work. This means that sewage could back up into the house if you continue using water like normal by flushing toilets, washing dishes, and taking showers.
To conserve water during a power outage:
- Take short showers
- Don't wash laundry
- Don't let the faucet run while brushing teeth, shaving, or rinsing dishes
- Don't flush the toilet each time it's used for liquid waste
Turn off your pump breaker
The septic pump breaker should be turned off during a power outage. This will keep the pump from automatically turning back on once the power is back.
After a power outage
Reset your septic system pump
If your septic system has a pump that has not been working during a power outage, the pump settings are likely messed up, which can cause sewage to back up or problems with your drainfield. Find your record drawing and maintenance information at www.kingcounty.gov/SepticRecords to determine if your pump has timer settings or not and follow the guidance below to reset your pump.
If your pump has timer settings
Make sure that power is restored to the pump by turning the circuit back on. The timer will likely be behind. To allow your timer to catch up, continue to conserve water for another day or more.
If the high-water alarm sounds once power is restored, effluent has backed up into the reserve storage area of the pump tank. Follow steps 1-2 below to start pumping backed-up sewage to the drainfield.
If your pump does not have timer settings
Normally, when the amount of wastewater reaches a specific level in the septic tank, a float control turns on the pump so that the wastewater is pumped into the drainfield. During a power outage, wastewater is not pumped to the drainfield and, instead, continues to collect in the tank.
To empty your tank without damaging the drainfield, follow the below steps:
- Turn it on then off once power is restored: Once power is restored, turn the pump on for 2 minutes and off for 4 to 6 hours. You can do this by turning the circuit on and off or using the control panel that is likely on the side of your house or garage. The pump may automatically turn off during the first manual dosing if there was little water use during the outage.
- Conserve: Conserve water and continue the 2-minute pumping every 4 to 6 hours until the pump turns itself off.
Make sure your septic system is fully functioning
If your septic system has other parts that rely on electricity (like a blower or fan), it is important to make sure that they are properly started after the power is out. It’s a good idea to hire a maintainer to inspect the septic system and make sure that everything is working once the power is back on.