Septic tanks require special care, but does it help to put additives in there? Today you'll learn what researchers surmised and whether additives perform ?as advertised?. There are some 1200 chemical and biological additives for septic systems on the market today, all claiming improved operation and extended time between pump-outs. Yet, when one state health department asked manufacturers to submit performance data, not one manufacturer complied or cooperated. Generally speaking, state health agencies do not recommend septic tank additives, and have found that in some cases additives contain organic chemicals that actually damage drain fields and contaminate ground water and nearby wells. Many experts and state officials note that if a system is properly designed and not abused by dumping trash or chemicals down toilets, the only maintenance needed is frequent inspection and occasional pump-outs. If your home has a septic tank and drain field, proper care beats putting additives in there!