U.N. looking at septic tanks as source of cholera outbreak in Haiti

Investigators from the U.N. are looking for the source of the Haiti cholera outbreak and that search has led them to septic tanks. Cholera, a bacterial infection which is often transmitted through contaminated food or water, hasn't been recorded in Haiti since the early 20th century, yet has recently spread throughout the country. So far, over 4,000 people have been sickened, and the source of the outbreak is under investigation. The search thus far, has led to septic tanks as a possible source.

AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

Currently, the U.N. is investigating a Nepalese peacekeeping base as a possible source of the outbreak. Associated Press (AP) reports broken and overflowing septic tanks on the base and septage following from the tanks down to a nearby river, where people regularly bathe, drink and wash clothes. The U.N. has taken samples from the broken septic tanks to test for cholera. To read the full AP story click here.

While it remains to be seen whether the Nepalese base is the source of the cholera outbreak, this story highlights the, sometimes extreme, dangers that poorly functioning septic systems can have on human health. The impact of a malfunctioning septic system can be large and wide-spread if untreated waste is allowed to enter groundwater or surface water. To prevent contamination of groundwater and surface water resources, and protect your health and the health of your neighbours, make sure your septic system is in good working order; have regular pump-outs, get your tank inspected, conserve water and don't abuse your system.

Septic Systems Gone Bad!

The horror! Click the picture below to view a larger version of these septic systems gone bad.

Conserving Water

It’s important to save water, as it is a valuable resource that needs to shared; however conserving water in the household also benefits your septic system!

Why conserve?

• Conserving water in the house means less wastewater needs to be treated by your on site septic system.
• Limiting the amount of water entering the system allows the leaching field to disperse and absorb the wastewater effectively.
• Too much water can overload the system!
• Water conservation is the key to a healthy septic system as well as an important part of septic system maintenance.
• If there is excessive water use in the house, the water will move too quickly through the system and the solids may not have time to settle out, therefore flowing into the leaching field.
• Solids in the leaching bed can clog pipes and damage the overall system. 

Water Conservation Tips

An average Canadian uses close to 329 litres of water a day (that makes us the second highest consumers of water in the world!). There are many ways you as a homeowner can reduce the amount of water being used in your house.

Fix leaky faucets: Leaking taps or toilets have been known to waste over 50 liters a day allowing excess water to go through the septic system.

Install efficient toilets: Anywhere from 16 to 23 liters of water is used every time the toilet is flushed. Low flush or high efficiency toilets reduce the amount of water being used by 50%. For example, a dual toilet uses 3 liters of water for liquid waste and only 6 liters for solid waste.

Install energy efficient appliances: Not only do these appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers save energy, but they use up to 20% less water.

Use appropriate water level or load size selection: Only wash full loads of laundry to reduce the number of cycles, and spread these cycles out throughout the week.

Change the water flow: Installing an aerator on faucets will reduce the flow by twenty five to fifty percent and a low flow showerhead will reduce about half the amount of water used in the shower.

Kitchen Tips: When getting a glass of water, keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of waiting for the water to run cold from the tap. Also never leave the tap running when cooking or washing dishes!

Phosphorus and phosphor-you

Phosphorus is usually present in bodies of water as phosphates. In moderate amounts, phosphorus is an essential nutrient for the healthy growth of aquatic plants and animals. Proper levels yield more food for fish and other wildlife.

However, excess amounts of phosphorus in the form of phosphates in bodies of water can negatively affect aquatic environments. When phosphorus is found at levels greater than 0.04 mg/L, it can over stimulate plant growth, causing rapid growth of plants including algae. As the nutrient levels increase there is more plants growing. These plants use up mass amounts of oxygen, thus decreasing the amount of oxygen available for other organisms to use. Fish and other aquatic species can die due to the lack of oxygen. As these plants die and begin to decompose via aerobic bacteria, oxygen concentrations within the water decrease making it hard for other species to live or grow there. After the algae dies, the decomposing algae can wash up along the shore, resulting in a dark, smelly substance coating the shoreline.

From lawns to lakes
Phosphorus occurs naturally in rocks and other mineral deposits; however human activity and weather are other sources of phosphorus. For example, phosphorus levels can become high in aquatic environments following heavy rainfall. This is because rain creates runoff from lawns or agricultural land that has been sprayed with fertilizers containing phosphates. When it rains, varying amounts of phosphates wash away from lawns or farmlands and into nearby waterways. Also, malfunctioning or faulty septic systems can cause high levels of nitrates and phosphates to flow directly into bodies of water. Overflowing systems will result in raw sewage pooling over top of the system and rainfall can easily wash this nutrient rich effluent into waterways. Your leaching bed is designed to filter out harmful nutrients and other contaminants, if it’s not functioning properly, these nutrients will reach aquatic environments. Many household products contain phosphates too, which adds excess phosphates to your septic system that could reach waterways.

Keeping phosphorus out of our waterways
Excess phosphorus causes odors, aesthetic issues, and beach closures. Luckily, homeowners can reduce the chance of excess nutrients reaching our waterways.   Be sure to always maintain your septic system by getting it inspected and pumped out regularly so your system can properly filter out excess nutrients. Also, when purchasing household cleaners, look for phosphate free products to keep our waterways looking beautiful.

Septic System Anatomy

Can't Find Your Septic Tank?

Did you just move into your house or cottage? Do you know when the last time the septic tank was pumped out and do you know where the septic system  is? Many people find themselves unsure of the location of their septic tank and leaching bed when they buy or inherit a home or cottage. If you don’t know where, it’s important to find out – not only to make getting regular pump-outs easier, but also so you can avoid building or planting trees or gardens over your leaching bed.

Here are some tips on what you can do to try and find your septic system:

• Contact the previous owner and ask them where the septic tank and leaching bed are.
• Contact your local health unit. If you live in Huron-Kinloss, contact the Grey Bruce Health Unit at 1-800-263-3456. If your septic system was installed after 1974 they may have a permit on file with a diagram showing the location of the septic system when it was installed. If not, they will be able to give you tips on what to look for.
• You can also ask local pumpers if they have ever serviced the property. They may have a recollection or record of where the system is.
• Find the main waste line out of the house/cottage. Look in the lowest part of the building, usually the basement or crawlspace. It’s usually a 4 to 6 inch pipe that goes out of the building and connects to the septic tank.  Make note of its location. This will give you an idea of where to start looking for the tank outside.
• Look for clues outside.
• In the winter, patches where the snow has melted can indicate the location of the tank.
• Look for rectangular depressions roughly 4ft by 8ft in size. The soil around septic tanks can settle over time, creating a depression where the septic tank is.
• In the summer look for areas of grass that are greener than the rest. The area that stays greener or has thicker grass may be the site of the leaching bed.
• Spongy or wet areas of the lawn may be the site of a failing leaching bed.
• When you figure out where the system is make sure you mark the location of the tank. Draw a map with measurements and landmarks.
• If you have no history on the last tank pump-out, call a local pumper to arrange for an inspection.
• Consider having access risers added your system. PVC risers can be added to make your lid flush with the ground – saving you from digging up your lawn every time the system needs pumped. The lids are watertight, secure and because they are made of high-density polyethylene, they don’t rust or corrode! 

Warning  Old septic systems can be a safety risk – some may have rotten wooden lids or cracked, eroded cement or steel lids. If you step on a rotten or cracked lid, you could end up in the tank, and that could be fatal. Never inspect or pump-out a septic tank yourself. Don't open the lid either, deadly gases in the tank can quickly overwhelm you, so leave opening the tank, inspecting the tank, and pumping out the tank to a licensed professional!

Winter is a-coming! Winter and your septic system

Your septic system can feel the wrath of winter too, when the snow falls and the temperature drops, remember to keep your septic system bundled up!

Depending on your system, location, and water use, your septic system could freeze during the winter months. The pipe connecting the house to the tank, the septic tank, the pipe connecting the septic tank to the leaching field and the leaching field are the parts of the system that commonly freeze up if not properly protected.

It’s important as a homeowner to maintain your system and have regular inspections prior to the winter months; however septic systems need to be kept warm during the winter too! Systems are more likely to freeze up during cold periods with no snow as oppose to periods with snowfall. To insulate your septic system simply place a foot of mulch (grass clippings, straw, hay or leaves) over top of it or let the grass grow long in the fall. The mulch and/or grass act as a snow fence and will catch the snow. Adequate snow cover benefits the system as it acts as natural insulator. The air spaces between the snow flakes trap warm air creating an insulating blanket over the soil. For additional insulation, Styrofoam sheets can be installed above the septic tank.

Your septic tank can freeze from a combination of problems or from one major issue, some of the common causes of septic system freezing include:

• Lack of snow cover: snow acts as an insulator, without adequate cover the system is exposed to the cold temperatures.
• Compacted snow: if there are no spaces between the snow flakes, there is little insulation.
• Compacted soil: pipes in the leaching bed can break or shift if the soil is compacted.
• Lack of plant cover: grasses and plants provide insulation as well as trap snow.
• Leaky pipes, faucets, or toilets: water constantly dripping into the system can cause freezing.
• Irregular use of system: little water use yields freezing in the system as there is no movement through the system.
• Waterlogged system: if the leaching bed is saturated with wastewater, it could freeze solid in winter.

If your system freezes, make sure you call a qualified septic professional as soon as possible. Never use car antifreeze, salt, or additives in attempt to thaw out your system by yourself. Also, do not run water continually through the system or use fire to unfreeze the system.

To keep your septic system protected from the harsh conditions of winter, make sure to place mulch over your system, keep snowmobiles (and all other vehicles) off the leaching field, routinely check toilets and faucets for leaks, as well as get your system inspected before winter to make sure there are no cracks or leaks.