Why Is Conserving Water Important?
Reducing our use of water will decrease water pollution, increase energy savings, and create more efficient use of our water resources. Too much water in an on-site sewage treatment system can flush untreated material through before organisms have a chance to break it down. If untreated material gets to the drainfield, the material can plug up the soil within the drainfield and shorten the life of the septic system. Sending too much water down the drain can also cause systems to “blow out,” allowing untreated material to flow out onto the ground. If this occurs, the system needs to be dug up and repaired. Failing septic systems can: • contaminate drinking wells • cause health risks such as hepatitis or dysentery • cause chemical pollution from household cleaning products • contribute excess nutrients to ground water, lakes, or streams Conserving water in rural areas will increase the life of existing septic systems. Conserving water within a municipal water system will reduce household
