Septic Systems Guide
A septic system is designed to treat wastewater for a specific site. Proper treatment of wastewater reduces health risks to humans and animals and prevents surface and groundwater contamination near the home.
If you do not properly install and maintain your septic system there are risks to Human and Animal Health. It is unhealthy for humans, pets, and wildlife to drink or come in contact with surface or ground water contaminated with wastewater.
Inadequate treatment of wastewater can raise the nitrate levels in groundwater. High concentrations of nitrate in drinking water are a special risk to infants. Nitrate affects the ability of an infant’s blood to carry oxygen, a condition called methemoglobinemia (blue-baby syndrome).
Inadequate treatment of wastewater allows bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing pathogens to enter groundwater and surface water. Hepatitis, dysentery, and other diseases may result from bacteria and viruses in drinking water. Disease-causing organisms may make lakes or streams unsafe for recreation. Flies and mosquitoes that are attracted to and breed in wet areas where wastewater reaches the surface may also spread disease.
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The economies of developing countries often depend on the tourist industry where the “unspoilt beaches” are the main attraction to the western tourist. If the beaches are to remain as a major tourist attraction, then urgent action must be taken to preserve that unique “unspoilt” status. Any wastewater that is discharged to sea must be treated to a high standard; not only for the sake of the tourists, but also to prevent any health risks it could otherwise pose to the indigenous population of the country. One such scheme is the Sandwich Bay scheme which envisages improving the quality of a number of “Designated Bathing Beaches” in Kent. It is designed to replace existing facilities that discharge wastewater through sea outfalls from three coastal towns. Three new pumping stations are being constructed to facilitate the discharge of foul flow to a new treatment plant providing secondary treatment for a total…...