Do you have a septic system? Maintenance and upkeep are important for keeping it operational, and it’s crucial from an environmental perspective. A functional septic system also protects the environment surrounding the property. Skipping periodic pumping and maintenance can lead to ecological and financial repercussions. Here are three environmental consequences of septic system neglect.
Septic systems manage the wastewater we create in our homes, coming from the sinks, baths, showers, and toilets. Septic systems have the ongoing job of separating solid from liquid waste, allowing what is gently referred to as “effluent” to be treated and released safely into the environment. Septic systems rely on natural processes to collect, treat, and disperse the waste. Maintenance is a necessity for preserving the local ecosystem. Here’s what overlooking maintenance leads to.
Filtering wastewater is a natural process, but it’s not always speedy. A full or malfunctioning septic tank leaks untreated waste, solid and liquid, into the ground. This waste may contaminate the groundwater and overwhelm the usual filtering process. This poses a threat to drinking water sources, which can affect plants, animals, and human beings.
As the saying goes, you can have too much of a good thing. Septic waste contains nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which are usually good for plant growth. However, when these elements leach into nearby bodies of water, they may promote algae blooms. When left unchecked, they decrease the oxygen level in the water, harming and killing off aquatic life and disrupting the ecosystem at large.
Naturally, human waste contains dangerous and even deadly bacteria and other microorganisms, or it can encourage their growth. Pathogens released by untreated wastewater may spread, posing health risks to humans and wildlife.
Fortunately, scheduled septic tank maintenance and pumping mitigates these risks. Make the following steps part of your duties as a property owner.
Schedule periodic septic tank and drain field inspections to assess their condition and identify potential issues.
We can’t stress this enough. Most households require septic tank pumping every three to five years. This manages the solid waste and maintains system efficiency.
Septic systems in good repair use less water overall. Reducing water usage lessens the strain on your septic system and the surrounding water supply.
If it isn’t toilet water or toilet paper, don’t flush it or pour it down the drain! This is especially true if you have a septic tank. Non-biodegradable items, fats, poisons, and similar substances clog the system and hinder the breakdown of waste.
Those are three environmental consequences of septic system neglect, with some helpful advice for good measure. Need septic tank pumping in Brandon, FL or the surrounding region? Contact us today for a consultation about your septic tank system and how we can help!