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Reducing Human Waste Impacts in a Local Watershed
| Name | Morris B. Warner | | Situation | A number of watersheds are listed on the SC DHEC Bureau of Water 303D list for impaired watersheds. The 303D list is the states’ impaired list based on EPA standards related to the Clean Water Act of 1972. A watershed can be impaired for a number of different pollutants. Coneross Creek watershed is on the SC DHEC 303D list because the level of Fecal Coliform, a bacteria associated with the feces of warm-blooded animals, exceeds the standards set forth in the Clean Water Act. Fecal Coliform can occur in a watershed as a result of human, domestic or wild animals. Therefore, activities that would increase the level of fecal coliform in the watershed would include faulty septic systems, water treatment facilities, wildlife and livestock. In the Coneross Creek Watershed, there are a number of confined poultry operations. The waste from these operations is spread as fertilizer on agricultural land such as crop or pastureland. Some of this poultry litter is obviously washed into the watershed creeks and streams by weather events that occur shortly after an application. To reduce the effect on fecal coliform in this watershed, homeowners need to learn proper septic system maintenance, to recognize septic system malfunctions and repair faulty systems.
| | Response | As a result of this need within the rural community, I applied for a grant that would offer cost share assistance to homeowners that would encourage them to inspect their septic system and make needed repairs. The grant offers 60% cost share for any repairs made to the existing septic system. Homeowner, James Sears, had noticed that an area of his yard where the septic system drain field was located was staying excessively moist. Upon inspection by a licensed contractor, it was determined that the drain field area was insufficient for the number of people that lived in the house and the resulting water volume that the system was handling. This excess seepage was on the surface to be moved into the creeks and streams of the watershed during weather events in the area. Therefore, the waste increased the fecal coliform entering the watershed.
| | Impact | We were able to cost share with Mr. Sears to have additional drain field added to his septic system. The result is that seepage of the waste water was stopped and the system is functioning properly. The fecal coliform load in the Coneross watershed should be reduced by repairing this system. |
Last update4/7/2008
This website is maintained by D Jason Caudill.
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