Why Your Septic System Is Contaminating Nearby Water Sources

A good septic system should not contaminate nearby water sources or lines. Therefore, if contamination is happening, it means something is wrong with the septic system. Here are some of the malfunctions that can lead to such contamination.

Improper Design

A good septic design should consider different parameters such as the nature of the soil, the expected volume of waste, and the topography of the land, among other things. Without consideration for these factors, the design might end up inadequate for the home. That might cause the septic tank to overflow and contaminate nearby water bodies

Proximity Water

The septic system, specifically the tank and drain field, should be located at a reasonable distance from nearby water sources. For example, the septic tank should be at least 50 feet from the nearest water well. If this minimum distance is not kept, the septic waste might flow into the well before they have time to percolate deep into the soil.

Broken Supply Pipe

In some cases, damage to a septic supply line might be the cause of the contamination. If the pipe that supplies water to your home is broken, say due to a construction mishap, it can pick up septic waste. This is especially true if the damage occurs around the septic drain field.

Broken Wastewater Lines

In addition to damaged water lines, damaged septic lines can also lead to water contamination. For example, the septic line connecting your house to your septic tank can burst and spill its waste instead of channeling it into the tank.

Excessive Water Use

Overloading your septic tank can also trigger a chain of events that might end in water contamination. For example, if you use more water than the septic system was designed to handle, untreated waste might flow out of the tank. Since the septic drain field would not be able to handle the waste either, the untreated effluent would flow and contaminate nearby water bodies.

Impacted Drain Field

The septic drain field should be permeable enough to absorb the effluent coming out of the tank. If this is not the case, the waste will flow away from the field instead of into the soil. For example, if you operate heavy machinery on the drain field, it might compact the soil and prevent water absorption.

Damaged Septic Tank

Concrete septic tanks can crack and leak and corroded metal pipes can also leak. Any of these leaks can send untreated waste into the soil, and the waste might flow into nearby water sources.

If you have any of these problems, you need to get in touch with a septic system service right away.


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