How Could a Septic System Cause Groundwater Contamination?
Groundwater contamination may occur when insufficiently treated septic effluent is released into the environment where it is then able to percolate down to the groundwater table. Excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in addition to a variety of pathogenic bacteria will reduce groundwater quality and may impact our potable water resources. Inadequate treatment of wastewater in a septic system may occur for one of several reasons: 1. When septic tanks are not pumped regularly, sludge levels in the tank become so high that there is insufficient space in the tank for liquid effluent. As a result, overflows occur and the effluent is not detained in the tank for a long enough period for the biological decomposition to occur. The contaminated effluent is transferred directly to the septic field. 2. Septic tanks or systems, which have not been regularly maintained, may suffer from cracks or leaks due to settling of soils or wear of system components. Leaks from the system release co
