Will the discharge of treated wastewater impact groundwater levels and water quality near the proposed soil absorption site?
A near continuous discharge to groundwater at the soil absorption site (SAS) will result in higher water levels in the local groundwater system. The extent of this “drawup”, and potential impacts to wetlands and local residents (mounding of septic systems and basement flooding), will be discussed in the environmental impact statement. Effluent quality should be exceptional following treatment. However, discharge will likely result in saturated conditions for certain soil horizons and wetland soils that normally would not be saturated, and this may result in the release of particular constituents, such as iron and manganese, from those soils to the groundwater system.
