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Failing Septic Systems Contribute to Pollution in Upstate Watersheds
| Name | Morris B. Warner | | Situation | Most rural homeowners depend on a septic system to handle the waste solids and water from their homes. Unfortunately, these systems are often poorly maintained by the owners. In fact, most homeowners when asked are not aware that their septic system requires regular maintenance. The result is the system over time becomes overloaded with solids that won't breakdown and the system fails. The solids enter the drain lines, which are designed to handle liquids. The drain lines become plugged by these solids. The drain lines can no longer infiltrate the water from the septic system into the surrounding soil. When the drain lines become plugged the gray water often begins coming to the surface. Then, when it rains this gray water is rapidly moved by surface water to the creeks and streams adding to the pollution load of the stream. | | Response | As a part of SC DHEC Section 319 grant, homeowners within the watershed are taught proper septic system maintenance. Additionally, homeowners that are currently experiencing septic system failure are offered cost share to assist with the repair of the system. At the time of the repair, the homeowner receives a publication prepared by SC DHEC which outlines septic system maintenance. | | Impact | Over the past three years, I have assisted 99 homeowners in the upstate of South Carolina with failing septic systems. The total value of assistance to these homeowners has been $104,483.00. This has helped to contribute to the reduction of fecal coliform entering the watersheds. Two of these projects have terminated, but at the present only one has completed the water sampling evaluation. It currently is testing within the EPA water quality standards. |
Last update4/7/2008
This website is maintained by D Jason Caudill.
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