I have a vacation home that was built in 1980 on a wooded lakeside lot. It has a well and a conventional gravity septic system. The septic tank is 1000 gallons. There is a toilet-sink-tub/shower full bath and a toilet-sink half bath. The house has 3 bedrooms and could sleep 7 to 10 people but we have never had more than 4 adults and 3 children at one time--even then the larger number only 2 to 4 days a year. The house is used from June to September and shut down in the winter. Our personal use is an extended 4-day weekend every week during the summer months. For about 30 years we imited our use of an old Kenmore top loader washing machine (bought used) to once every 7 days or so. It probably dumped about 30 gallons per load. A couple of years ago it finally gave up the ghost and it was replaced with a basic Amana high efficiency top loader with auto-sensing water level. It probably uses less than 10 gallons for a typical load. We have always used low/no-phosphate cleaning agents like Arm & Hammer and OXY Clean. We are very conscientious about the possible effects on the water quality in the lake from runoff, etc. The lake is tested every year and the levels have stayed about the same. Our leaching field is as far from the lake as it can be and still be on our property (about 150 feet) and there are many mature trees and uncleared undergrowth between it and the lake. The tank has been pumped several times for normal maintenance and the condition of it and the septic operation (crust, sludge, etc.) were reported as very good. However I was just wondering whether what would have less impact on the septic system: 1. Running a load of laundry at the beginning of a 4 day stay each week when the system has had 3 days to digest, or 2. Running a load of laundry at the end of a 4 day stay each week with the possibility of over diluting the previous 4 days of usage? And given our usage and 30+ year experience whether it even makes any difference? Thanks for your input.

Like many other houses in Florida, I have a shallow well for irrigation. It 's been in use for about 30 years. Problem is water flows out of sprinkler heads for about 2 minutes and stops. Actually, water flow rapidly declines in 5-10 seconds to none. Pump still runs. It is not the normal full-of-water sound. I stop the pump and starts again in 10 ninutes. Pattern repeats. I cleaned out sand filter. Same behavior. Is this a sign of well not having enough water? If this is the case, will change out of pump from 1 HP to 1/2 HP cure the problem? Does a good well lose water in 30 years? Well casing is PVC pipe. Check valve and pump are about 10 years old. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.