If you are installing a new garbage disposal or replacing an existing garbage disposal, you have a few decisions to make regarding the type of disposal and the horsepower of the motor. Before you even get that far, consider whether you should install a garbage disposal at all, especially if you are on a septic system.
There is some debate about whether using a garbage disposal harms a septic system. One argument is that by regularly flushing food waste into the septic system, you are putting a load on it that the septic system is not designed to handle. On the other hand, as long as you only dispose of organic kitchen waste material, it should be broken down in the septic tank and not cause a problem.
The answer is probably somewhere in the middle. If you have a septic system, a garbage disposal will almost certainly add to the load the system is asked to process. It will also increase the amount of waste water that flows into the septic tank. However, as long as your septic system in good shape, is not already nearing the peak load it can handle, and you use the disposal with moderation, you will probably not have any trouble using a garbage disposal with a septic system.
Keep in mind that you will need to have the septic tank pumped a little more frequently if you have a garbage disposal. Before buying and installing a garbage disposal, have your septic system evaluated by your plumber or a sewer-septic professional. They will be able to help you determine if your system is healthy and has the capacity needed to handle the extra load of the garbage disposal.
