Almost
all farm homes use a septic tank system or similar on-site
wastewater system to treat household wastewater. These systems
are usually economical and safe. But, they must be able to
safely handle all wastewater produced by your household and
must treat wastewater adequately to prevent contamination
of groundwater and surface water.
Household wastewater contains bacteria, infectious viruses,
household chemicals, and excess nutrients such as nitrate.
All of these contaminants can cause serious health problems,
including gastrointestinal illnesses and hepatitis. Your well
water should be tested regularly for coliform bacteria. If
coliform bacteria are present, your drinking water may also
contain other microorganisms that can be harmful. A septic
system that is not operating properly may be the source of
drinking water contamination.
The amount of wastewater generated by your household can be
too much for your wastewater system to treat efficiently.
Any resulting leaks or overflows can reduce the quality of
nearby surface or groundwater supplies.
What can you do?
| Item | Question | Yes | No |
| 1. Quantity of wastewater; indoor water use. | a. Water-conserving fixtures are used throughout home, fixtures inspected regularly, and leaks repaired quickly. | ||
| b. No water-conserving fixtures, and no inspections. | |||
| 2. Distance of system to well. | a. More than 100 feet. | ||
| b. Less than 100 feet. | |||
| 3. Location of disposal system. | a. Located more than: 50 feet from property lines, 10 feet from buildings, and surface water drains away from disposal system. | ||
| b. Located less than the above distances, and surface water drains toward disposal system. | |||
| 4. Inspection of disposal system. | a. Soil always firm, and no odors. | ||
| b. Ground wet and/or spongy, and noticeable odors. | |||
The
questions listed above can help you determine whether your
household wastewater treatment system may pose a risk to groundwater.
Take a few minutes to complete the questions. If you answered
yes to mostly "a" questions, your ground-water is probably
safe from becoming polluted from your wastewater treatment
system. If you answered yes to mostly "b" questions, then
your groundwater may be at high risk of becoming polluted.
Worksheet number seven in the Farm*A*Syst book will give you
a more complete assessment of your household wastewater treatment
system. If you are interested in obtaining a copy of Arizona's
Farm*A*Syst workbook, please contact the College of Agriculture's
Publications Distribution Center, 4042 North Campbell Avenue,
Tucson, Arizona 85721. The cost of the workbook
is $5.00 plus shipping. Contact your county extension office
or NRCS office if you have questions about how to use the
workbook.
ELAINE
HASSINGER, Assistant in Extension
JOHN E. WATSON, Water Quality Specialist
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work acts of
May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative
Extension, College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona.
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opportunity employer authorized to provide research, educational
information and other services to individuals and institutions
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shown, or indirectly implied in this publication do not imply
endorsement by The University of Arizona.
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