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Septic
systems
Septic
systems are used to treat and discharge wastewater from
toilets, wash basins, bathtubs, washing machines, and
other water that contains household wastes. When a septic
system is operating properly, wastewater is collected
in a septic tank below the ground where anaerobic bacteria
digest the organic matter, solids settle to the bottom,
and low-density compounds such as oil and grease float
to the surface. The solids are stored for future disposal
and the liquid is discharged into a “soil absorption
area” or drainfield where the liquid drains into
the ground.
Septic
systems are particularly common in rural areas where centralized
wastewater treatment systems are not economical. In Maryland,
80% of the land development in the last decade was located
outside the water and sewer lines, so homeowners there
needed to think of other ways to clean their wastewater.
In the United States, one out of every four homes uses
some form of septic system and the combined discharge
of all these systems is over one trillion gallons of water
each year.
With
such a volume of wastewater and because the effectiveness
of septic systems depends on site conditions and timely
inspection and maintenance, septic systems have the potential
to pollute entire ecosystems if located or operated improperly.
When septic systems fail, untreated wastewater and sewage
can reach groundwater or nearby streams and water bodies.
Not surprisingly then, failing septic systems have been
linked to water quality problems in streams, lakes, shellfish
beds and coastal areas.
A
need for better maintenance and alternative wastewater
treatment technologies
Because
urban sprawl in the United States continues to take place
and more and more people live in rural areas, septic systems
will continue to be a popular way to treat domestic wastewater.
Improving the performance of current septic systems or
using new alternative technologies can be a very effective
way to reduce the non-point source pollution of a local
watershed—and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay—by
reducing the amount of nutrients that reach local surface
water and groundwater.
What
alternative is most effective depends on the local conditions
at the site. Some of the new options include constructed
wetlands; mound systems; and a conventional system with
serial distribution on a sloping field.
Inspection,
inspection, inspection
Whatever
system you choose, regular inspection and maintenance
are necessary for the system to function well. Regular
control of conventional septic systems, however, is the
exception rather than the rule and state and local governments
often refrain from aggressive enforcement of maintenance
requirements for privately owned septic systems.
Many
residents are also not aware of the need to take care
of a septic system. A survey of residents in the Chesapeake
Bay region found that 50 percent of septic owners had
not had their systems inspected within the last three
years and 46 percent had not had their system cleaned
within the same time frame. Twelve percent of residents
in the survey did not even know where their septic system
was located. As a result of this lack of inspection and
maintenance, many systems can fail for several years before
a severely flooded basement or lawn prompts the homeowner
to take action. (Survey information is
from Stormwatercenter.net
,
referring to a study by Swann, 1999).
Some
communities have found ways to successfully reinforce
maintenance of the septic systems. Some have charged homeowners
a monthly fee that is used for inspection, maintenance,
and education, while others have created a revolving loan
program to provide low cost loans to repair failed systems.
Other communities have simply devised more stringent siting
and technology criteria for new systems.
Stormwatercenter.net
lists the following six steps that homeowners can take
to reduce the pollutant loadings from their septic systems.
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Do not wait until septic system
shows sign of failure. Inspect the system annually
and have it pumped-out at least once every three
years.
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Keep records of pumping and maintenance and a
map of the location of your system and drainfield.
-
Practice water conservation indoors and divert
roof drains and surface water away from the system.
-
Use caution in disposing materials down the drain.
Household chemicals can kill the bacteria that
make the system work and non-degradable materials
(cigarette butts, etc.) can clog the system.
-
Keep heavy equipment and vehicles off your system
and drainfield.
-
Don't cover your drainfield with impermeable surfaces
that can block evaporation and the air needed
for effluent treatment.
|
| Information
taken from the Pollution
Prevention Fact Sheet |
For
more suggestions, please visit the Pollution
Prevention Fact Sheet
by www.stormwatercenter.net
or explore the links below to learn more about septic
systems and alternative wastewater treatment technologies.
References
and further reading
About
septic systems:
About
alternative wastewater treatment systems:
