Septic systems are biological machines and like any machine they: 1. won’t last forever and 2. need maintenance. But in the U.S. today, the lowly septic tank still cleanly treats more sewage than any other type of system – and the EPA still recommends the Onsite Wastewater Disposal System (septic tank) as the best means for recharging the groundwater in this country.
The EPA is encouraging the many newer individual onsite systems and the smaller neighborhood decentralized systems, both of which produce cleaner water. They are discouraging large, expensive, leaky municipal sewer systems which use chlorine and fresh water in partial sewage processing, which then pollutes our rivers and oceans.
Failed septic systems are dangerous and 31 states have identified failed septic tanks as a threat to groundwater – but old systems can be easily fixed. Seepage pits can be made to perk, seepage fields can be replaced and if you want to spend a few thousand dollars more, you can treat wastewater for reuse (NASA technology recognized by the EPA).
Malibu city has proven to be very encouraging of these newer, cleaner systems and has allowed testing here of several already used in other states. Our city should be encouraged to continue this good work. When California finally comes up with some onsite guidelines (48 states have already done so), Malibu will be out in front in this technology.
Contact the EPA’s National Small Flows Clearinghouse at the West Virginia University 800.624.8301 or 304.293.4191, www.nsfc.wvu.edu. These people have the most accurate and totally up to date information (free) on any problem with wastewater. If you think Malibu beach is bad, try parts of Southern Indiana with a water table at two feet!
The bottom line is your septic system can be fixed, improved or completely replaced – without taking out a second mortgage. Do some research and then fix it.
And, by the way, septic pollution is nothing compared to MTBE. That fuel additive really is DEADLY groundwater pollution – and it’s been going on for OVER FOUR YEARS – and continues today.
Jim Glennon