Septic Smarts (New York City, NY)
About 25 percent of US homes rely on a private septic system for wastewater disposal, including some communities within the watersheds that supply drinking water to New York City. Septic systems function by collecting waste in an underground tank for treatment, and then allowing liquids to slowly soak through surrounding soil, which filters out bacteria and nutrients before reaching groundwater supplies.
Viewer Tip: If you have a septic system, it is important to make sure house gutters, sump pump drains, and other outdoor drainage systems for rainwater do not drain onto the soil absorption area. If the soil around your tank becomes soggy or flooded, it can be less effective at treating wastewater, putting groundwater quality at risk.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
(Source: US EPA, “A Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Systems.” http://www.epa.gov/owm/septic/pubs/homeowner_guide_long.pdf; Wellowner.org: Septic Systems – What You Need to Know (online information center about groundwater and wells))
