Understanding the Environmental Impacts of Septic Systems

Some home and property owners are connected to the main city sewer system, while others have a septic system on their property. If you have a septic system, are considering installing one or thinking about purchasing a house with one already installed, you might be curious and concerned about the environmental impact. After all, there are proper septic tank maintenance responsibilities in Strafford County, NH that owners of septic tanks cannot ignore, like septic tank pumping and drain field inspections. Otherwise, they risk costly repairs and replacements.

With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the environmental concerns with septic systems.

What is a septic system?

Septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures most commonly used in rural areas or properties without easy access to centralized sewer systems. If you have a septic system, it’s up to you to schedule regular septic tank pumping to ensure the timely removal of solid and liquid waste. Failure to keep the system clean and the tank pumped can lead to sewage backing up through drains, as well as permanent damage to septic system components.

How septic systems work

It’s important to know how septic systems work before you can fully understand how they affect the environment. Your septic system is made of two key components: a holding tank and a wastewater leaching system. All the waste from your house is carried from the sewage line to the underground septic tank, where naturally occurring bacteria separates solids from the liquids. The bacteria liquifies the solid waste pieces, while heavy waste particles form a layer of sludge until it gets broken down.

The importance of maintenance

It goes without saying that maintenance is a key factor in proper septic system function. Septic tanks must be pumped every three to five years (or every year for large households that use a lot of water). They also need regular inspections and proper septic tank maintenance in Strafford County, NH to ensure sewage isn’t seeping into the surrounding groundwater and nearby bodies of water. When cared for and pumped out on a regular basis, your septic tank can be way more environmentally friendly than traditional sewage treatment methods.

Reduction of wastewater vs. decomposition

It can be hard to wrap your head around the fact that there’s a tank full of waste from your household water sitting in the ground in your yard, as well as pipes running from the inside of your house to the tank to the leach field. But this type of sewage disposal system does work.

Septic systems work by decomposing waste—a host of naturally occurring bacteria help the process. As such, septic systems are much better for the environment than sewage treatment systems that only reduce the amount of wastewater. Because septic tanks are installed underground, there’s no need for structures or machinery that could potentially cause harm or damage to the environment.

If you have a septic system, scheduling proper septic tank maintenance in Strafford County, NH can give you valuable peace of mind every day. Call B.H. Cameron Septic Services LLC today for all your septic service needs!

Categorised in: Septic Tank Maintenance

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