FORT PIERCE, Florida/September 17, 2008 - Recent heavy rains and a tropical storm or hurricane on the TreasureCoast could be a one-two punch that means raw sewage may back up in your home if you have a septic system. If you are experiencing sewage odors, wet areas on the property, slow drains, gurgling drain noises, or plumbing fixtures which "back-up" or overflow back into your home these could be the early warning signs septic disaster.

"The time to avoid a problem with raw sewage backing up into your home is before the problem exists," said Matthew Nyberg, President, Cooke's Environmental Services. "Once hurricane or tropical storm rain and wind begin, it's too late to avoid the costly mistake of not having your septic tank pumped for hurricane season," added Nyberg.

Septic systems consist of two basic parts; a septic tank and a soil absorption system. The septic tank provides a small portion of the treatment by creating a large, quiet compartment to allow solid material to settle out of the wastewater and collect in the tank. Over the years of operating, accumulated solids begin taking up too much room in the tank, reducing the volume available for settling. When this happens, solids start escaping the tank and can clog the soil in the soil absorption field. Before this happens, the septic tank should be pumped to remove the solids.

"Do not wait for your septic system to back-up before you pump your septic tank. Once the sewage backs-up into your home, the damage is already done," added Nyberg. The experts at Cooke's Environmental Services recommend you do not use biological or chemical additives in place of septic tank pumping. You should pump based on the size of your septic tank and number of people using it. A typical family of four with a 500 gallon septic tank should have it pumped once a year.

"Here in Florida, pumping annually is really a good idea because one hurricane can dump so much rainfall that an un-pumped tank is a disaster waiting to happen," concluded Nyberg.

Cooke's Environmental Services has been serving the TreasureCoast since 1958. The locally owned and operated company provides a one-stop-shop for a full range of wastewater services and septic tank pump-out and installation, including site plan review, design, and construction for residential and commercial clients in northern Palm Beach, Okeechobee, Martin, Saint Lucie, and Indian River counties.

Trained technicians are on call for emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information about Cooke's Environmental Services, call (772) 781-4300, or visit the company's website at www.callcookes.com.

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