Septic Tank Spills Pollute Conasauga River Watershed
By Erin Fuchs, Chattanooga Times/Free Press, Tenn.
Apr. 4–DALTON, Ga. — Over a recent 10-year period studied, at least 2,000 septic systems in Whitfield and Murray counties failed and spilled raw sewage in the Conasauga River watershed, according to the Conasauga River Alliance.
“I’ve worked in seven states, and I can tell you there’s nothing like the septic systems in Murray and Whitfield counties,” said Frank Sagona, watershed director for the River Alliance.
The result is environmental damage, he said, so he has been working to repair broken systems that can harm the Conasauga River and its tributaries.
Septic tanks — individual waste treatment systems — are a fact of life in rural areas where links to sewers are not available or even practical.
But if systems aren’t pumped regularly, septic tanks can become clogged and spill raw human waste. Rains then carry this raw sewage into nearby streams.
The waste harms both the river and people.
Nutrients found in feces can stimulate algae growth in the river, choking it, robbing it of oxygen and stressing the animal life.
Bacteria in the waste can be harmful if people come in contact with it. Illnesses can result in diarrhea, headaches, nausea and may be serious.
Chad Mulkey, Whitfield’s environmental health county manager, issues septic tank permits for the county, which has seen rapid residential growth in areas without sewers.
The clay that dominates the area will not percolate — filter the waste — adding to the problems for creeks and streams.
The Conasauga River Alliance won a federal grant to monitor septic tank repair. The grant was administered through the Georgia Department of Natural Resource’s Environmental Protection Division.
EPD grants unit coordinator Michelle Vincent said the relatively high levels of fecal coliform bacteria found made the Conasauga River a prime candidate for assistance.
Old or failing septic tanks pose a widespread threat to streams and rivers, but they are not the only source for the fecal contamination, Ms. Vincent said. Waste from pets and farm animals also may pollute streams.
Nearly one in four U.S. households has a septic system, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“In far too many cases, these systems are installed and largely forgotten — until problems arise,” according to the EPA’s Web site.
Varnell, Ga., resident Arnetter Weaver said it’s impossible to miss a broken septic tank. When her system recently failed, the wastewater pooled outside and even came into her house.
“I knew what was going on,” she said.
Ms. Weaver got help from the River Alliance to repair her septic system.
Her home is near Varnell Spring, but she said she had not realized before that her failing septic system could damage the spring she loves.
Mr. Sagona said part of his work is to help homeowners understand the threat septic systems can pose to nature. Right now, the Conasauga’s levels of coliform bacteria exceed Georgia water quality standards, he said.
But he said there’s still hope for the river.
“Some of these things,” he said, “once we discover they’re out there, we can fix them.”
TO LEARN MORE
For information on septic tank maintenance, visit EPA’s septic tank information page online at http://cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/index.cfm
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