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Hazards of Septic Tanks

A septic tank is a small wastewater treatment system used at homes not connected to a municipal sewer system. The septic tank disposes of household, biological and sanitary waste. Though you may already know septic tanks usually do not smell nice, they also present certain hazards.

  1. Sludge

    • Septic tanks usually hold up to three years worth of sludge. After the sludge reaches capacity, solid waste may leak from the tank into the soil absorption field adjacent to the tank. If the soil absorption field is too small, your home may be rendered uninhabitable. Odorous black-gray liquids will fill your yard, exposing residents to toxic chemicals such as heavy metals. Sludge also will contaminate your well system, leading to high coliform bacteria and nitrates in your drinking water. To prevent this situation, pump your tank with septage to remove the sludge buildup at least once every three years. If you have just moved into a home with a septic tank, hire an inspector to pump out and inspect the system.

    Maintenance

    • Never go into a septic tank without an SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus). Decomposing gases from septic tank wastewater can kill a person in minutes. Wear disposable gloves when cleaning the tank. Septic tanks are breeding grounds for deadly bacteria. Don't smoke or have open flames near the tank due to the presence of methane gas. Don't perform maintenance alone. Make sure someone else is present in case of an accident. Because septic tank maintenance is often dangerous and unpleasant, consider hiring a professional for the job.

    Sinkholes

    • Even if you no longer use a septic tank, a defunct one also presents dangers. After sewer service becomes available, homeowners often abandon their tanks and their location may be forgotten, especially if the property passes through multiple owners. The ground over these unused tanks may collapse without warning, creating sinkholes. This problem is especially acute in suburban homes built before the 1970s. Check with your local zoning office to find out whether your home was built with sewer lines. If not, hire a sewage contractor to locate unused tanks. They can be filled with sand, gravel or concrete to prevent collapse.

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