Buried beneath your back yard, it is out there—constantly working. When you’re at work, it is working. When you’re eating dinner, it continues working. And when you’re sleeping, it’s still out there in the dark—working. What is it? Your septic system. It may be the most overlooked and undervalued utility in your home; but with proper care and maintenance, your septic system will continue to function for many years. If you are like most homeowners, you probably never give much thought to what happens when waste goes down your drain. But if you rely on a septic system to treat and dispose of your household wastewater, what you don’t know can hurt you. Proper operation and maintenance of your septic system can have a significant impact on how well it works and how long it lasts, and in most communities, septic system maintenance is the responsibility of the homeowner. Preventing groundwater pollution from failing septic systems should be a priority for every community and every homeowner. Contamination of the groundwater source can lead to the pollution of local wells, streams, lakes, and ponds— exposing family, friends, and neighbors to waterborne diseases and other serious health risks. When a septic system fails, inadequately treated domestic waste can reach the groundwater. Bacteria and viruses from human waste can cause dysentery, hepatitis, and typhoid fever. Many serious outbreaks of these diseases have been caused by contaminated drinking water. Nitrates and phosphates, also found in domestic wastewater, can cause excessive algae growth in lakes and streams called algal blooms. These blooms cause aesthetic problems and impair other aquatic life. In addition, a failing septic system can lead to unpleasant symptoms, such as pungent odors and soggy lawns.
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