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Comment by clipradiowallet | Hacker News Reader

Just a note for people who do NOT have sewage service(ie you have a septic tank). You should be rinsing ALL your dishes before using the dishwasher, capturing the solids in a strainer, and putting them in your trash.

Solid food that magically is cleaned by your dishwasher goes into your septic system and significantly reduces time-to-failure, or at the least time-till-you-have-it-pumped-to-avoid-failure.

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Is the thin layer on plates significant, relative to the human waste solids already going into your septic system?

Without going into the icky details too much... yes it is relevant. Even something like grated carrots will sit in your septic tank for years without decaying. This is largely due to the temperature - it's far too cold to get the easy rotting and composting effect you would see if you left it outside in the sun. The solids you are mentioning are already digested, and are much easier for the bacteria in your septic tank to break down and reach a soluble/flowing state that can pass into your drainage field. Another good example that is REALLY common to see clogging the septic tank exit is coffee grounds - which would compost very quickly in the sunshine, but will last forever in your septic tank and contribute to a very thick "sludge" layer on the bottom. That layer never goes anywhere, and as it grows the capacity of your septic tank shrinks. This will go on until the sludge reaches the exit level and causes the septic system to fail, or until you have it pumped.

Would dumping enzymes into the tank aid "digestion" of solid foods?

Yes - but with caveats. Solids like meat scraps and fruit pulps(not peels!) can be liquified with septic tank additives. It's a good idea to use these every month(I set a recurring reminder on my phone). The caveat is substances like fruit peels, coffee grounds, oils, or the gristle portion of meats. These don't break down with the enzymes, and just float(or sink) in your septic tank until you have it pumped.

My friends load up their dishwasher without rinsing, then call their pup over to clean off the food. Does an excellent job too.

My friends load up their dishwasher without rinsing, then call their pup over to clean off the food

They must have a small dog, if it fits inside a dishwasher.

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