Studies on The Effects of Septic Systems in the Environment

Around 25% of homes in the United States are not connected to the community sewage systems and have a separate septic system installed.  The Environmental Protection Agency has found that at least 48.5% of homes in the State of North Carolina also have a septic system installed.

According to data from a study in Atlanta, there were around 500,000 septic systems in the area during 2006 and it was predicted that the number would grow at least 12,000 more units per year.  Mussie Habteselassie, who is a researcher from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences said, “Home septic systems are still very common and not just in rural areas.  On-site septic systems drain into drain fields where the soil treats the waste water. The soils filter out the contaminants in the waste water before it reaches the ground water and the streams.”

The University of Georgia is currently leading a three-year study in order to find out if septic systems do affect water quality.  Water samples have been taken several times during a year in order to determine what septic systems can do to underwater canals and rivers.  The samples have been taken during both wet and dry seasons, which will give a much better explanation of what goes underground and how much contamination a septic system can produce, if any at all.

People are under the impression that septic systems take away water from their streams and rivers, but the recent study’s results are proving that septic systems could in fact help to increase the overall level of water in these kinds of settings.  The time of year and season seems to influence the amount of water that septic systems supply to streams and rivers, but further samples during 2014 will yield more information about this.

There is still a lot of uncertainty about the bacteria and residues that septic systems can send to rivers and streams, but the studies are proving that these systems do not affect the water in our environment and that septic water is naturally treated thanks to the soils composition and other climate factors.

At Lake Norman Septic, we worry about our environment and we are always looking to find new eco friendly methods for improving your home.  Feel free to contact us for any inquiries or to get an answer to some of your questions.   We are always ready to help you out and we want to make your home feel comfortable for you.