Septic systems are a major source of emerging contaminants in drinking water

[HAB911]

Newton, Mass. (June 26, 2017) – A new analysis shows that septic systems in the United States routinely discharge pharmaceuticals, consumer product chemicals, and other potentially hazardous chemicals into the environment. The study, published June 15 in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, is the most comprehensive assessment to date of septic systems as important sources of emerging contaminants, raising health concerns since many of these chemicals, once discharged, end up in groundwater and drinking water supplies.

Known as contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), these types of pollutants are frequently detected in U.S. rivers, lakes, and drinking water supplies. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not currently regulate them in drinking water. Many emerging contaminants are hormone disruptors. Their presence in the environment has been associated with the feminization of male fish and reduced fertility in other wildlife. And studies in humans have linked some CECs with thyroid disease, developmental disorders, decreased fertility, and even cancer.

“These are chemicals found in the products we use every day, and eventually they make their way down the drain,” says Laurel Schaider, an environmental chemist at Silent Spring Institute and the study’s lead author. “What’s concerning is that we are potentially re-exposed to these chemicals as mixtures through our drinking water and we have no idea what the health effects from those exposures are.”

Approximately 20 percent of U.S. households rely on septic systems to process their wastewater. In some parts of the country, the number is much higher. In Cape Cod, Massachusetts, for instance, 85 percent of residents rely on septic systems. Although septic systems are known sources of nutrient pollution and have been associated with disease outbreaks, questions remain regarding the extent to which they contribute emerging contaminants to the environment.

http://silentspring.org/press-releases/septic-systems-are-major-source-emerging-contaminants-drinking-water

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Waste water is ultimately recycled water.

There will be remnants of drugs/pharmaceuticals and chemicals that are flushed or poured down the drain even when waste water is "clean" enough for consumption. Plus we're talking about an amalgam of all these impurities in the water.

[HAB911]

3. Yep, all water is just dinosaur pee anyway

[zipplewrath]

2. Misleading headline

But admittedly, you have to get all the way down to the bottom of the article to find this:

The study also compared treated wastewater from conventional septic systems with that from centralized wastewater treatment plants and found similar levels of contaminants. This suggests that switching from septic systems to a centralized sewer system may not completely address problems of emerging contaminants entering the environment.

According to Schaider, the best way to protect drinking water quality is to keep septic systems away from areas that supply local drinking water wells. “It’s also important that people follow guidelines for maintaining their septic systems to make sure they’re in good working order,” she says. “And avoiding household products with harmful ingredients by switching to safer alternatives can make a real difference.”

In other words, the problem is the contaminants, not so much the method of disposal. The exception really is where the septic systems feed directly into ground water used for drinking water. You don't want septic systems draining into the very water you pump out (untreated) into your drinking water. Really, shallow wells are problematic for all manner of reasons including from storm run off.

I have seen work being done on "home sewage treatment" plants which may be a good combo of both. Clean up the water at the source, and then introduce it back into the system in a distributed manner.

[HAB911]

4. My well, by law, is 100 ft from my septic

although pulling water from 50ft+ down.

either system, we are self medicating, including our food chain

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/15/science/traces-of-anxiety-drug-may-affect-fish-behavior-study-shows.html

[zipplewrath]

7. 200 feet around here

If you want "safe" drinking water around here, the recommend about 200 feet deep wells. Most don't do that.

[Wellstone ruled]

8. Hey big thank you for the post.

This is the sleeping nightmare for many in Rural Areas. As you mention. Distance from Water source(wells)and in some cases springs is critical. Being fimiliar with rural living for more years than one can imagine,local and County Sighting Ordinances as well as questionable soil testing(perk)has contributed to many of these nightmares.


What is more astounding is,the lack of knowledge about how certain chemicals react when dumped into these systems.

[yallerdawg]

5. Most communities want sewage systems.

Relying on individuals to maintain their septic systems is like everything else in life - everyone is completely dependent on the lowest common denominator. And we can get real low!

Test the water runoff downstream from the 'good country folk.'

And don't drink the water!

[zipplewrath]

6. More about where

There are places that just aren't right for septic. Too near a major body of water to start (streams, lakes, etc.). You also have to be aware of underground flows of various sorts. But in the end, many of the contaminants are getting through from either system, and into the ground and ultimately into our rivers and streams. The pharmacuticals are getting to be a real problem, especially as more and more folks are on CONSTANT medication such as anti-depressants as well as statins. We probably need to be cleaning our waste water much better, prior to re-introducing it back into the environment.