3 Septic System Environmental Impacts Septic Services Can Help You Avert

More homeowners are opting to install in-house waste management systems instead of connecting their plumbing network to municipalities' sewerage systems. This eases the waste management pressure on the county government. What's more, an in-house waste collection tank also gives homeowners more control over their waste disposal.

But aside from the exceptional functionality of residential septic tanks comes the responsibility of preventing them from impacting nearby water sources. Thankfully you can rely on septic services to keep your in-house waste management system environmentally friendly. Here are three ways your septic system might cause trouble and how to prevent the environmental impacts.

Surface Water Pollution

One of the biggest dangers posed by septic systems is the potential for them to release pollutants into surface water. These pollutants can include bacteria, viruses, and nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen. When these pollutants enter the water supply, they can contaminate drinking water and cause water-borne illnesses in your neighborhood. To avert this issue, you should schedule timely septic tank pumping to prevent sewage waste from overflowing into the ground.

Groundwater Contamination

Sewage overflow can also result in groundwater contamination if it's left to go on over a long period. The bacteria in the sewage waste would penetrate the ground and eventually reach your neighborhood's water table. This would pollute drinking water supplies and pose a serious health risk to people and animals who rely on groundwater for drinking or irrigation purposes.

Please note that this can only result from a severe case of septic system neglect; if you allow septic services to routinely maintain your waste collection system, you should worry about contaminating the groundwater.

Algae Bloom Production

Your septic tank can release nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen into the environment, creating harmful algae blooms. Algae blooms refer to the fungus' populations growing out of control, often due to excessive nutrients in the water supply. This phenomenon is harmful to the environment because the fungus can produce toxins that can be fatal to fish, plants, and other aquatic organisms.

They can also make recreational activities like swimming and boating dangerous, as the algae can cause skin irritation and respiratory problems. To prevent algae bloom production, you should ensure you never release untreated effluent water into the ground. Liaise with septic services to ensure you have a sustainable waste management system.

Septic systems are an important part of our everyday lives, and it's crucial to be aware of how they work and the ways they can impact our environment. If you live in a rural area or have a septic system on your property, make sure to call your local septic tank contractors for regular maintenance and check-ups. Doing so can help ensure that your system is running properly and isn't impacting the environment.

Reach out to a septic tank services company to learn more.