|  | Public Health Safety | Public Health

What Are the Pollutants in Water Polluted From Septic?

The range of water pollutants caused by failed septic systems include chemicals, bacteria, harmful inorganic materials such as arsenic and pharmacological contaminants, according to the USGS. The scope of water pollution depends on the location of the failed septic system. If the septic system is adjacent to a personal water well, river, lake or stream the effluent seepage will contaminate both ground and surface water. For the most part private wells and septic systems are regulated by the states.

  1. Septic System

    • According to the EPA, an estimated 30 percent of all households use a soil absorption septic system to dispose of waste. A properly designed, installed and maintained septic systems is comprised of a watertight container, drain field and adequate soil conditions beneath the drain field. Only 32 percent of all septic systems in existence meet the criteria for adequate soil absorption, due to bedrock, sandy soil and high water tables.

    Chemical Pollution

    • According to the EPA, the improper disposal into a septic system of common household products such as plastics, cleaning solutions, fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, petroleum-based products and personal care products can affect water quality in the event of septic failure. Some products contain chemicals such as nitrogen that becomes nitrites known to cause "Blue Baby Syndrome," and PCBs found in plastics can act as an endocrine disruptor in humans.

    Pathogens

    • The Centers for Disease Control CDC finds that a common cause for well water contamination is a septic system failure. The failure may be a structural or design defect, but natural disasters such as flooding, earthquakes and hurricanes may unleash harmful pathogens into the water supply system. Pathogens include hepatitis A, E. coli, Giardia intestinalis, Shigella spp, Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella. The CDC Waterborne Surveillance Survey for 2005-2006 found incidences of norovirus and other waterborne diseases related to contaminated water sources caused by improperly maintained sewage disposal.

    Harmful Materials

    • Some harmful materials are naturally occurring, such as arsenic, lead, chromium and mercury. However, these materials can be found in concentrated form in thermometers, wood preservatives, paint or improperly maintained household plumbing. While the EPA has designated these materials as toxic, many forms of these materials are used for industrial and consumer products. The EPA and state environmental quality agencies set minimum and maximum levels of exposure for public drinking water, but private septic and water wells require vigilance by the homeowner.

    Pharmacological Contaminants

    • According to Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, approximately 60,000 man-made compounds find their way into U.S. waterways. Of these compounds only 91 are subject to the Safe Drinking Water Act. A majority of these emerging contaminants have not been studied or currently under review. The primary compounds of concern include endocrine disruptors, hormones, cancer treatment drugs, personal care products, fire retardant materials, anti-depressants and other pharmaceuticals that simply do not go away.

Public Health - Related Articles