The  Problem

Credit: This documentary was created and produced by Joe VanderMeulen and Nature Change.

More than one in five households in the U.S. depend on individual septic (decentralized) systems or small community cluster systems to treat their wastewater. These systems are used to treat and disperse relatively small volumes of wastewater, usually from houses and businesses located in suburban and rural locations not served by a public (centralized) sewer system. In Lucas  County, there are over 10,000 septic systems in use.

Septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures that use a combination of natural and technological processes to treat wastewater from household plumbing produced by bathrooms, showers, kitchen drains and laundry. The process typically begins with solids settling within the septic tank and ends with wastewater treatment in the soil via the drainfield.

Septic systems can impact local drinking water wells or local bodies of water like ponds, creeks and streams. The extent of this impact depends on how well your septic system is designed, installed, maintained and if it is used properly. Systems that are sited in densities that exceed the treatment capacity of regional soils and systems that are poorly designed, installed, operated or maintained can cause problems.

The most serious issues    involve contamination of surface waters and ground water with disease-causing pathogens and nitrates. Other problems include excessive nitrogen discharges to sensitive coastal waters and phosphorus pollution of inland surface waters, which increases algal growth and lowers dissolved oxygen levels. Contamination of important shellfish beds and swimming beaches by pathogens is a concern in some coastal regions. healthy.

The Solution

The SepticSmart program emphasizes seven simple messages to help homeowners and users of septic systems understand how to be “SepticSmart.”
 

1. Think at the Sink!
   Learn what not to put down your kitchen sink (such as fats, oils, or greases), how to properly dispose of food waste and how to use cleaning supplies in moderation.
    
2. Don't Strain Your Drain!
   Learn about the importance of using water efficiently, staggering water use of water- based appliances and using energy efficient appliances.
    
3. Keep It Clean!
   Learn about the importance of testing your well water, and its relationship to your septic system.
    
4. Shield Your Field!
   Learn about your septic system’s drainfield, including how it works, and tips to take care of it.
    
5. Protect It and Inspect It!
   Learn about a typical septic system inspection, how often an inspection should be performed and considerations for advanced systems.
    
6. Don't Overload the Commode!
   Learn about what can be flushed down the toilet, and what should be thrown in the trash.
    
7. Pump Your Tank!
   Learn about a typical septic tank pump-out service, and how a septic tank works.

US EPA

Quick Tips Video

more  resources

• General Education:​​
  • U.S. EPA ON SEPTIC  - Everything you need to know about septic systems in  the U.S. (what they are,  types, how to care for them,  how they're funded, the effect on the environment and more.
  • Septic System Impacts on Water Sources   -   Learn more on how   septic systems may impact local drinking water wells or surface water bodies. The extent of this impact depends on how well your septic system is designed, installed, maintained and if it is used properly.