Gary Hawkins

  • SepticSmart Week – Don’t Strain the Drain

    Don’t Strain the Drain   Putting the wrong items into your septic system can put the health of your family and neighbors at risk and result in expensive repairs for your system. Learn what should and should not go down your drain and stay #SepticSmart  https://www.epa.gov/septic  

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  • SepticSmart Week – Pump Your Tank!

    Did you know a typical septic tank needs to be pumped every 3 – 5 years on average? Properly caring for a septic system can be challenging if you’ve never owned a septic system before. With Septic Sam’s Top 10 List, learn easy tips to help prolong the life of your septic system. Check out…

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  • SepticSmart Week — Don’t Overload the Commode!

    Your toilet is not a trashcan, flushing non-degradable products can clog your system and cause sewage to back up into your home or flood your yard. Do not flush anything besides human waste and toilet paper. Read more #SepticSmart tips.  

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  • Think at the Sink!

    Today during SepticSmart Week let’s Think at the Sink! Use water efficiently to maintain the life of your septic system. Limit the use of your garbage disposal and avoid rinsing coffee grounds or pouring grease into the sink. Get the scoop on how to stay #SepticSmart at https://www.epa.gov/septic  

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  • SepticSmart Week!  Each year, EPA holds SepticSmart Week to inform homeowners on proper septic system care and maintenance, assist local agencies in promoting homeowner education and awareness, and educate local decision makers about infrastructure options to improve and sustain their communities.  This week you will be provided information on different aspects of your septic system. …

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  • Flooding is a problem to start with, but can cause “unseen” issues with private water wells and septic systems.  This post provides some things to think about after a flood and some additional resources.

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  • Too much water can cause a lack of water

    The Maynardville Water Treatment Plant had to be shut down due to rainfall causing a sinkhole to form and flushing soil into the spring where the City gets its drinking water for the water treatment plant.  This shows that sinkholes are direct connections to groundwater. The full story from Channel 10 news in Knoxville, TN.  Maynardville water…

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  • Protecting water quality on the farm

    In the December 2018 issue of the Vegetable growers magazine, there is an article titled “It’s all about water quality for Ward’s Berry Farm“.  In the article, the author talks about how the USDA NRCS has worked with Jim Ward on his farm to improve soil health and how NRCS can help farmers access their farm to…

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  • Follow the Golden Rule in all you do

    Performing good works, including helping customers, employees, the poor in our communities, and the environment will bring honor and respect for [fill in your name, business, job, or activity].

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  • Test air and water for Radon in January

    January is National Radon Action Month. Today there is an article in the Morning Ag Clips newsletter discussing testing the air for radon.  The article can be found here  or is copied below the “***”. The article discusses testing your home for radon in the air.  If you have a private well for your water…

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