by Stacey Isaac Berahzer

Georgia has about 1.5 million septic tanks, with many of them being over thirty (30) years old. This is about the timeframe when many septic tanks begin to fail. Septic tanks are no longer considered a temporary solution until public wastewater infrastructure takes over. In fact, each year, in the sixteen-county metro Atlanta area alone, at least 12,000 new septic tanks are installed. With so many Georgians spending more time in their own homes due to the pandemic, there has been more pressure on these septic systems. What are the repercussions from this, and what does it cost?

 More Water Use

Several factors related to the pandemic cause stress to septic systems. First, the volume of water to these systems as people spend more time at home has increased. With virtual school and adults working from home, the toilet gets flushed more at the house than when schools and workplaces were open. The sanitizing that comes with preventing the spread of the virus means that more water is being used for laundry and household cleaning. More meals are being cooked at home, leading to more dishwashing. Do-it-yourself projects increased dramatically, using more water for everything from painting projects to hair coloring. The chemicals used in some of these projects, as well as the disinfectants for more rigorous house cleaning, can harm the bacteria needed for these septic systems to function well. The combination of large volumes of water and waste to assimilate, and the bacteria being harmed by chemicals, could accelerate the failure of septic tanks.

 Cost to Maintain Septic Tanks

Septic tanks should generally be pumped once every 3-5 years. But, with the increased stress on them this year, early pumping may be needed.

According to the 2019 annual report on water and wastewater charges in Georgia, conducted by the Environmental Finance Center at the University of North Carolina, the average annual charge for 5,000 gallons of public wastewater per month is $384. In other words, a typical homeowner being served by a public utility can expect to pay this amount in wastewater charges for the year. There is considerable difference in charges from one wastewater utility to another. However, if we use this $384 as a proxy, in four years, this amounts to more than $1,500. If a septic tank owner is disciplined enough to set aside even half of what a homeowner on public wastewater has to pay each month, then the roughly $400 to pump a tank every four years is more than covered. Some money is even left over to cover the cost of repairs, and the eventual replacement of the septic system. However, many septic tank owners find themselves without these funds when the time for repair or replacement comes. External financing options for homeowners are very limited when it comes to septic tank projects.

 Effect on Local Water and Wastewater Departments and Water Quality

Failing septic tanks can lead to polluted drinking water and can spread viruses and bacteria that cause illnesses such as diarrhea and dysentery. However, the Environmental Protection Agency expects a properly managed septic system to treat COVID-19 the same way it safely manages other viruses often found in wastewater. Additionally, when properly installed, a septic system is located at a distance and location designed to avoid impacting a water supply well.

A more likely threat of failing septic tanks is that they can be a source of fecal coliform which can cause serious illness, especially in children and the elderly. Fecal coliform is one of the contaminants that is monitored in streams and other waterbodies, and high levels of these bacteria can render a waterbody as “impaired.” Such a designation comes with certain requirements for local governments.

While a homeowner is responsible for maintenance, repair and the eventual replacement of the septic tank, it is difficult to hold individual homeowners accountable. The local public water or wastewater utility is the entity that is held accountable, in general. Sampling is required and if the water is not meeting certain standards for fecal coliform, public utilities must make adjustments.   

Conclusion

Failing septic tanks are not only an expense to the direct homeowner, but can also have repercussions on local and state government entities that are ultimately held accountable for restoring water quality. The pandemic is causing more stress on septic systems, making this an important time to communicate with homeowners on how to better manage these systems. Having a tank pumped sooner than originally planned would cost the homeowner around $400, compared to several thousand dollars to do major repairs if the tank fails.

This is part of a blog post series funded by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA).

Disclaimer: The opinions of the writers should not be considered legal advice or endorsement by GEFA.