Appoquinimink Septic Systems
Out of Sight and Out of Mind?

by Sara L. Wozniak, Executive Director and Watershed Coordinator, Appoquinimink River Association

The Appoquinimink River and its tributaries are suffering, and your septic tank could be part of the problem.  With 1,357 septic systems located in the Appoquinimink Watershed today, an estimated 168 pounds of nitrogen and 5.4 pounds of phosphorus could be entering the river daily as a result of their use.  This comes as a surprise to many residents who don’t often think about what happens when kitchen, bathroom and laundry waste go down the drain.   Only when a system becomes faulty do homeowners realize there is a problem, and even then they don’t realize that it’s more than a monetary nuisance — it’s a public health hazard and a serious environmental threat!

What’s the problem?

A normally functioning septic system is designed to collect, treat and dispose wastewater on-site, allowing it to percolate into the ground without clogging the soil or contaminating ground or surface waters.  When properly sited, designed, installed and maintained, a septic system can be a cost-effective method of wastewater treatment.  However, many systems are out of date, not functioning properly, or clearly failing.  When they fail, contaminated wastewater, with its nitrogen, phosphorus, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, bacteria and pathogens is discharged into groundwater as well as streams, ponds and estuaries.  The consequences include pollution of our drinking water supply, destruction of our wildlife habitat and reduction in recreational opportunities.

Septic systems can transport chemical, biological and nutrient contamination into groundwater and surface water supplies.  (From Caring for Your Septic System ( 76 kb PDF file ) by NEMO)

What are some signs to look for to indicate that your septic system is failing?

You should be keeping an eye out for several things in and out of your home.  Problems could be evident if you have:

1. sewage backup in drains or toilets
2. slowly draining sinks, tubs or toilets
3. foul odors
4. repeated intestinal illnesses in household members
5. standing wastewater or soggy areas above or near the septic system
6. excessive growth of lush, green plants over the drainage field even during dry weather
7. algal blooms and excessive weed growth in nearby ponds or lakes

It’s better to be safe than sorry, so call the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control — Division of Water Resources, Ground Water Discharges Section, (302) 739-4762 or a licensed septic tank contractor whenever you experience problems with your system, or if there are any signs of system failure.

What can be done to prevent septic system problems?

The most important and effective things that you can do to prevent problems are:

• have annual inspections of your septic system
• pump out your tank every three years

Pumping as needed, based on the results of periodic inspections, minimizes your maintenance costs and maximizes the system’s longevity.  If cost concerns have prevented you from regular monitoring and pumping in the past, just remember that the $100 to $250 spent pumping your septic tank is much less expensive than the thousands of dollars you can spend when your system fails and needs to be replaced.

There are many other things that you can do to help prevent septic system problems.   First, consider what you are sending down your drains.   Toxic and hazardous chemicals, fats and greases, and solid waste garbage such as tissues, cigarette butts, baby wipes, tampons and condoms shouldn't be going down your sinks or toilets.  Such materials can cause your system to fill up faster, clog, and hinder or prevent the needed biological processes that are required for effective wastewater treatment.

You should not use a garbage disposal or you should at least severely limit its use.  This waste can significantly increase the amount of solids entering your tank, causing back up and requiring more frequent pumping. 

You should also avoid using chemicals in place of pumping.  Using additives such as yeasts, bacteria, or enzymes is not necessary because there are sufficient naturally occurring amounts of the correct microbes digesting wastes in your system.  Additives containing solvents to unclog your system can be harmful, killing the microbes needed to digest wastes in your system.   They may also contaminate your drinking water supply, using the same paths as contaminated wastewater follows.

Protect your system's drainage field by not driving on it, placing of hefty objects like wood piles, storage sheds or swimming pools over it, or paving it.  Any of these will cause the soil to compact and possibly crush the field's pipes.  Divert roof and other surface runoff away from the drainage field — saturated soil is less effective in treating wastewater.   Avoid planting trees within the area because their developing root systems can damage the system.   Grass is the best thing to grow over a drainage field.

Finally, conserve water to reduce the amount of wastewater that your system treats.  Installing low-flow showerheads, placing half-gallon milk jugs filled with water in your toilet tank, taking shorter showers and doing laundry over several days instead of all at once are helpful in preventing septic system problems.

Many of today’s water-quality problems are caused by human activities on the land.  By being aware of how our actions affect the environment, we can reduce pollution!  So, please have your septic system inspected annually and pumped out every three years, and use it gently at all times!

For more information on ways that you can get involved with the Appoquinimink River Association’s mission to preserve, protect, and enhance the rivers and related natural resources of the Appoquinimink region, please contact Sara Wozniak, executive director and watershed coordinator or call her at (302) 382-0335.