Transcript No Slide Title

Protecting
Water
Quality:
Wells and
Septic
Systems
Developed by:
Susan Donaldson
University of Nevada
Cooperative Extension
UNCE, Reno, NV
This session will cover:
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Watersheds and water pollution
How wells work
How septic systems work
Protecting well water supplies
Is my drinking water safe?
Water cycle:
one of the oldest “recycling”
schemes in nature.
Ground water
UNCE, Reno, NV
Wells
DNRC, MT
We’re all part of a
watershed
And we all
live downstream
A. Miller
Water pollution …..
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Affects groundwater
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Drinking water
Affects surface water
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Recreational uses
Fisheries
Irrigation and other agricultural uses
Pathogens
UNCE, Reno, NV
Sources: failing septic systems, animal
waste, marine sanitation devices
Chemicals
Sources: industrial, commercial,
household and agricultural chemicals,
auto emissions
Sediment (dirt)
USDA NRCS
Sources: road sand, construction sites,
agricultural fields, disturbed areas
Nutrients
UNCE, Reno, NV
Sources: animal waste, fertilizers, septic
systems, auto emissions
How can I protect my well
water supply?
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Consider:
Location
Construction
Condition
Can you
find the
wellhead?
UNCE, Reno, NV
Well protection
DNRC, MT
Well construction makes a big
difference in protecting your water.
Wells over 50 years old may not be
deep enough or properly sealed.
Hire a qualified well driller or repair
company to inspect these wells.
DNRC, MT
Adapted from Clark Conservation District, MT
There should be antibackflow devices in place to prevent
the flow of contaminated fluids into the ground water.
Keep good records of all well inspections, repairs and
water testing.
Well separation distances
DNRC, MT
DNRC, MT
Don’t do this! Fence
your well out of your
pasture or holding area.
UNCE, Reno, NV
Who protects my drinking water?
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The Safe Drinking Water Act, first created
in 1974, is the main federal law that
regulates drinking water provided by
municipal water suppliers
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The EPA sets standards and oversees
water suppliers
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Ensuring safe water from private wells is
the responsibility of the homeowner
How do I know if my water is
safe to drink?
Water testing ensures
that your water is safe.
Don’t depend on your
neighbor’s water
analysis, because
even wells that are
close together may
draw water from
separate aquifers.
Be part of the pollution solution
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Repair oil leaks promptly
Recycle motor oil at drop-off centers
Apply pesticides carefully ONLY after
pests have been identified, the correct
product chosen, and the label read
Store and dispose of hazardous
materials properly
Keep chemicals away from your well
Be part of the pollution solution
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Maintain your septic system in good
condition and pump regularly
Manage animal wastes properly
Maintain a protection zone around
your wellhead
Never dump untreated waste
directly into water bodies
Inspect your
property for
any activities
that put your
groundwater
OR surface
water at risk.
USU, Logan, UT
Septic Systems
Out of sight and out of
mind…until you smell them!
DNRC, MT
How much water do YOU use per day?
Misc.
1.5 gallons
Faucets
11 gallons
Showers
12.6 gallons
Leaks
10 gallons
Baths
1.2 gallons
Clothes
Washers
15 gallons
Toilets
20 gallons
Dishwashers
1 gallon
House
Junction box
Cleanout
Septic
tank
Inspection ports
Leachfield
Components of a septic
system
Baffles
A. Miller
A. Miller
Where
does
the
liquid
effluent
go?
A. Miller
Do you know???
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Where your tank is?
How big it is?
When it was last
pumped?
The location of your
leachfield?
DNRC, Montana
Maintaining your septic system
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PUMP
YOUR
TANK!
Keep your
bacteria
healthy
and
happy
UNCE, Reno, NV
To pump... or not to pump
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Pumping costs
about $200 for
the average
1250-gallon
tank, every
three years or
so
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A new leachfield
costs from $5,000
for an inground
system to as
much as $20,000
for an engineered
field
Which would you choose?
Suggested pumping interval
(years)
Tank Size
(gallons)
1
2
3
4
5
6
Number of people in your household
1000
12
6
4
3
2
2
1250
16
8
5
3
3
2
1500
19
9
6
4
3
3
What about additives?
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Enough bacteria are present in the
tank from normal bodily wastes
Additives cost $$$ and may actually
increase the solid material in the
tank by producing inert ingredients
There is no substitute for pumping!
Other causes of septic failure
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Overloading. Use water
sparingly. Do only full loads
of wash at off-peak times, if
possible, and try to limit the
number of loads daily.
Placement in poor drainage
area
Water leaks
Driving over the drainfield
Other causes of septic failure
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Pouring kitchen grease into
drains
Failure to install according
to septic codes
Flushing cigarette butts,
sanitary napkins or other
inorganic materials down
the toilet
Other causes of septic failure
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Extensive use of garbage disposals
Tree roots clogging pipes - contact
a septic contractor for repairs
Use of salts and chemicals from
water softeners and washing
machines
Avoid products with the following
warnings on the labels:
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“Harmful if swallowed”
“Avoid contact with the skin”
“Do not get in open cuts or sores”
“If product comes in contact with
eyes, call a physician immediately”
Always read the product label!
What can I plant on or near my
leachfield?
OK to Plant
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Grasses
Perennial and
annual flowers
Many perennial
groundcovers
Avoid Planting
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All trees
Large shrubs
Tips to keep your septic
system working well
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Don’t water the leachfield
Don’t flood the system with
excessive water use
Keep excess solids out of the
system and avoid flushing toxins
down the drain
Tips to keep your septic
system working well
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Avoid using your garbage disposal
to process large quantities of
wastes
Regularly pump out the septic tank
and inspect the physical
components of the system
Don’t park or drive over the
leachfield
For more information, contact:
USU Water Quality Extension Program
435-797-2580
[email protected]
www. extension.usu.edu/waterquality