Septic Tank and Spring Water

[Rhonda361]

Hi,  We just opened in May and have had guests a few weeks ago. Then we had about 10 or 12 come in from this past Tuesday.  On Friday the Septic Alarm went off and gave us a scare. I had to ask them to conserve water and they did.  I was wondering how to word it in our house rules about the septic tank and water usage and the pure Spring water. I want to make sure that everyone knows that they need to conserve the water because of the septic and spring.  Can anyone share any examples of how they word it in their house rules? Thank you in advance!

[Laura5961 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Rhonda361 ,

Our home also has septic and well water, but nothing that requires limiting usage. 

What makes the alarm go off? 

Perhaps for conserving water, something like “Home has natural spring water, please me mindful and conservative with water usage when possible, it may trigger an alarm due to excessive usage.”

[Rhonda361]

Hi @Laura5961 !  Great wording, I think I will use what you said.  

The alarm goes off when there is too much water coming into the tank.  I think it has sat dormant for a while then you bring in 10-12 people all at once and it got overloaded. 

When that happens the alarm goes off until it can catch up.

[Helen3]

You may also need to review how many guests you allow if larger numbers may create issues in terms of how much water is available @Rhonda361 

[Fred13]

Why not consider limiting to 6 guests, the fact your place has 4 rooms doesn't compel you to have to allow 8 (especially for the same price). Keep in mind that the 'invitees' (those in addition to who did the actual booking) are usually the most clueless.

[Rhonda361]

Yes, you got that right.  I found that out quick.  The one who booked does not seem to inform everyone of the house rules. 

[Lisa1247]

@Rhonda361 I would not only limit guests (example, maximum 3 guests/no visitors is what my larger unit rule), but do you have water restricting shower heads, faucet reducers, etc?   Make sure to not allow visitors on the property, you do not need extra people.  It's easy, just put a maximum amount of people and enforce it.

I put Evolve shower head units/pulls in each shower, along with faucet reducers, and that helped reduce consumption.  This was required with the heat pump water heater, because two people would have used up the hot water and it takes 4 hours to heat it up again.  This is just an extra.  This will not cover up for having 10 or 12 people in the unit!

If you have a washing machine, this would probably overload your septic.  Perhaps consider taking that out.  

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Rhonda361 It sounds like your septic/well is too small for the number of people allowed in your listing. I guess restricting the numbers will be cheaper than putting in new wells/septics!

[Bhumika]

Hi @Rhonda361 ,

How did you eventually work it out in your house rules?  Hope the suggestions from our other members have helped!

[Rhonda361]

Hi @Bhumika !  I received some real good information. Thank you all!