Septic systems are designed to remove disease-causing human pathogens from wastewater. However, rising sea levels, increased precipitation, and warmer temperatures due to climate change are reducing the amount of unsaturated soil that allows these systems to function properly.
That leaves septic system failures as the invisible source of fecal pollution at 100 coastal waterways flagged for contamination. Fortunately, homeowners can help prevent these odorless underground pollutants by regularly inspecting and pumping their septic tanks.
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Poor Drainage
The drain field (also called the leach field or absorption field) is where septic system wastewater goes after treatment in the septic tank. The purpose of the drain field is to further treat and disperse the cleansed effluent through a network of perforated pipes buried in the soil. The natural balance of bacteria in the drain field soil breaks down any remaining solids and then the wastewater seeps into the groundwater or is absorbed by plants.
The permeability of the soil in the drain field is critical for proper septic system operation. The more permeability of the soil, the faster the wastewater will flow through and be treated. Clay soils typically have low permeability, so they can easily clog and slow drainage. On the other hand, Sandy soils have high permeability and allow effluent to move quickly through the system and into the groundwater.
When the permeability of the soil in your drain field is too low, the septic system becomes overburdened, and wastewater may begin to back up into the house. It is important that the soil in your drain field be well-drained to prevent this.
Poor drainage can also cause problems with the septic system by preventing the aeration of organic waste. Septic tanks operating in aerobic conditions contain nitrogen which, if the aeration process is insufficient, can build up and clog the drain field. The aeration process in septic systems involves injecting air to make sure the bacteria in the septic tank have enough oxygen to break down organic waste. If the aeration system is compromised, sewage can enter groundwater and cause health issues for you and your family.
Often, a septic system experiencing poor drainage is due to a lack of regular inspection and maintenance, septic tank pumping, and/or drain field upkeep. If the septic tank is not properly pumped and emptied, the organic waste will run into the drain field, clogging the soil and reducing its ability to treat the wastewater.
A septic system should be free of obstructions that would block the drain field. Avoid planting near a septic system and do not drive, park, or work on top of the soil absorption field area. Invading tree and plant roots are drawn to the moisture and nutrients in the septic system drain field. They can grow into the pipes, leading to clogs, drain line damage, and leaks.
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Dirty Water
Most of us don’t think about our septic systems until they start failing or causing a problem. Yet, even when working properly, septic systems are contributing to the microbial contamination of surface waters across the country.
The function of a septic system is to take wastewater from your home and purify it so it can safely reenter groundwater systems. It does so by using natural and constructed features.
Wastewater leaves your house through a main sewer line and enters the septic tank, where sludge (fecal matter) is degraded by bacteria. The liquid effluent then flows into a drain field or leaching pool. From there, it percolates through the soil into groundwater and then into surface water.
Faulty septic systems are responsible for spreading disease-causing bacteria in our waterways. The bacteria can be a serious health threat, especially for infants, the elderly, and anyone with weak immune systems. It’s also possible for these bacteria to contaminate your drinking water supply, which can cause symptoms such as headache, fever, diarrhea (sometimes with blood), and stomach cramps.
When septic systems are located in sandy or clay soils, the soil microbes can’t fully treat the wastewater. The result is that fecal bacteria seep through the soil and into groundwater, where it mixes with other pollutants and spreads downstream towards surface water. This pollution is often referred to as septic system contamination and is most prevalent in coastal areas where many homes are serviced by private septic systems.
In addition to the fecal bacteria, septic system contamination also contributes to surface water pollution by carrying nutrients into the groundwater. These nutrients then flow into lakes, streams, and rivers, promoting algae growth and creating a bloom that reduces water clarity and releases toxins.
While septic system contamination does occur in all regions of the country, it’s more common in the south and northeast. This is because of the type of soil in which most septic systems are installed. A few simple precautions can help prevent this type of contamination from happening. These include taking short showers, not doing a lot of laundry at one time, and fixing any plumbing leaks immediately.
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Sewage Backups
If sewage is backed up into your home, it is a nuisance and dangerous. Sewage is full of harmful bacteria that can cause infections and serious illnesses in people and pets. Call a septic service immediately if you see dark, murky water or the strong odor of sewage in your home. They have the tools and knowledge to fix the problem without causing any danger to your family.
If your septic system has an overflow, it is likely because the tank is full and needs emptying. However, sometimes the cause of the problem is outside your home. The city sewer line, which connects your house to the municipal system, may be experiencing problems of its own due to a blockage or broken pipe. This is usually out of your control, but you can take precautions like getting your septic system pumped regularly and making sure it is not overloaded with too many appliances and drains.
The septic tank is designed to allow liquid waste to seep into the ground, but solid materials (such as paper trash and feminine hygiene products) can become trapped in the tank and cause a blockage in the lines. If the septic tank is not properly sized or maintained, non-fecal materials will continue to build up until the septic system overflows. A properly sized and maintained septic system includes a bacterial additive that digests the solid waste, preventing clogs in the drain lines.
During heavy rain, your sewer lines can become overloaded with more volume than they can handle. When this happens, wastewater and raw sewage can back up into your basement and other low-lying areas of your home. If you live in an area with a combined sewer line, this is more common as stormwater and raw sewage can be transported through the same pipes.
Sewage can also back up into your home when foreign objects are flushed down the toilets or drains. The most common causes include baby wipes, diapers, grease, and other non-flushable items. The other common cause is garbage disposals not being used or emptied correctly.
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Septic Scum
When wastewater leaves your home, it enters a septic system and goes to the tank, where it is separated into three distinct layers. The heavier solids (sludge) sink to the bottom of the tank, the fluids float to the top as effluent water, and the fats, oils, and grease form the scum layer on the surface. Bacteria in the septic tank then decompose the solids.
A septic tank is designed with baffles to keep the scum layer from discharging to the septic field, and septic tank inspections are important for ensuring they are in good condition. In addition, it’s also vital that the septic tank is pumped regularly to keep sludge and scum levels low.
The key to a healthy septic tank is providing sufficient time for the settling and flotation processes to work as designed. A septic tank’s sludge and scum layers will naturally reduce in volume by anaerobic decomposition and compaction of the older sludge layer, but this process is impeded if the septic system is overloaded with solid waste. This is often caused by excessive use of garbage disposals, high-use appliances in the house, and the type of waste placed into the septic system, such as heavy foreign matter and soil from vegetables and other food scraps.
Fatty materials are the main culprits of septic scum buildup, and they can easily create a thick crust over the septic tank surface. This is why it’s so important to only flush the 3Ps – pee, paper, and poo – down your toilet. Anything else will eventually make its way to the septic tank, and if a homeowner isn’t careful to manage what goes down the drains, the septic system will start to overflow with sewage.
The most effective septic tank maintenance practices include regular septic tank pumping and routine inspection and cleaning of the septic tank and its baffles. A septic tank inspector will be able to assess the septic tank’s condition, determine if it needs to be pumped, and establish an appropriate schedule for future services. A septic tank that is not properly maintained will send sludge and scum into the septic system’s drain field, where it can clog the leaching area and shorten its life.
