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You probably know that failing to maintain your septic tank could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs – just ask Jack and Greg from “Meet the Parents.”  But did you know that excess nitrogen, phosphorus and other toxins from leaky septic tanks can be washed into our waterways and oceans, where they can sicken [...]

What is a nitrogen footprint and why is it so important?  Well, just like a carbon footprint, a nitrogen footprint approximates how much nitrogen your daily activities produce over a period of time. Nitrogen is important because it builds our DNA, amino acids and proteins that grow the tissues of all living things.  Farmers use [...]

Each year, about 1.4 million metric tons  of nitrogen reach the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi River and its watershed.  Much of this pollution comes from rain water runoff from roadways, lawn and gardens, sewage treatment plants and agricultural areas.  The Mississippi River provides essential water for fishing, floating, boating and swimming, but too [...]

The holiday season is a time for happy gatherings of family and friends. But a house full of guests can also result in higher energy bills, increased water use and stressed septic systems. Try these easy tips for a happy, healthy and environmentally-friendly holiday gathering. Heating Help: Keep everyone warm and save energy at the [...]

Did you know that groundwater provides one quarter of New Yorkers with their drinking water, totaling around 900 million gallons of water dailyWhen rain falls, some of the water ends up in lakes and rivers, some of it is used by plants, some of it evaporates back into the atmosphere, and some seeps through the [...]

When rain falls, some of the water ends up in lakes and rivers, some of it is used by plants, some of it evaporates back into the atmosphere, and some seeps through the ground into aquifers – large, natural underground water storage areas.  We call the water stored in aquifers “groundwater.”  It is an important [...]

Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water for most of Montana! Not only does groundwater quench our thirst, but it is also important in protecting water quality and quantity in surface rivers and streams – during drier times, these waters are derived almost completely from groundwater supplies. Viewer Tip:  It’s estimated that more than 23 million [...]

About half of the U.S. population gets their drinking water from groundwater. Not only does groundwater quench our thirst, but it is also important in protecting water quality and quantity in surface rivers and streams – during drier times, these waters are derived almost completely from groundwater supplies. Viewer Tip: In New Hampshire, Vermont, and [...]

The Long Island Sound is home to more than 170 species of finfish, some of which spawn in the Sound, as well as numerous shellfish and bird species.  Unfortunately, the conversion of tidal marshes to mudflats throughout the Sound watershed is reducing the amount of habitat available to these species. Viewer Tip: Scientists think that [...]

Many different fish species are found in Narragansett Bay, but in recent years, the Bay’s bottom-dwelling fish populations – including tautog and winter flounder – have been decreasing, while species that live higher-up in the water column have been increasing.  This change may be related to an increase of nutrients entering the Bay, such as [...]

Did you know that groundwater is the source of drinking water supplies for nearly two million people in Kentucky?  Additionally, more than 400,000 Kentucky residents rely on private water wells for drinking water and other water uses.  Not only does groundwater quench our thirst, but it is also important in protecting water quality and quantity [...]

Aquifers (large, natural groundwater storage areas found underneath the earth’s surface) are the major source of fresh drinking water in Central Florida, providing water to 90 percent of the 17 million people in the region.  Not only does groundwater quench our thirst, but it is also important in protecting water quality and quantity in surface [...]

In Georgia, about 25 percent of all homes use an individual septic tank for wastewater treatment.  These 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.  Poorly maintained or old septic systems can [...]

There are more than 200 homes in the city of Boston that are not connected to the public sewer system, and more than 25 percent of Americans rely on a septic system for wastewater disposal.  Septic systems function by collecting waste in an underground tank for treatment, and then allowing liquids to slowly soak through [...]

There are about 30,000 homes served by private septic systems in Marion County, and 18,000 of those systems are either failing or near failure.  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 [...]

There are 48 communities in the Cuyahoga County General Health District that use home sewage systems, and about 14,000 of these systems are currently in use.  An improperly functioning home sewage system can be a major water pollution problem.  When sewage leaks into the ground, it can contaminate our groundwater supplies. Viewer Tip: If you [...]

The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District estimates that there are more than half-a-million septic tanks in the 16-county area, and over 12,000 new systems are being added each year!  About 40 percent of these tanks are at least 20 years old – the expected life-span of an average septic tank.  As septic systems age, [...]

Over 75 percent of homes in western North Carolina depend on septic systems, even though as much as 90 percent of the land in some counties is unsuitable for individual sewage treatment systems.  Primarily due to unsuitable soils in the drainfields, septic systems can be a health hazard to you and your neighbors, contaminating local [...]

Did you know that one in five Maryland residents rely on a septic system for waste disposal?  That adds up to almost 400,000 private septic systems!  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 [...]

Did you know that more than one-third of all Florida homes – about 1.6 million – rely on a septic system for wastewater disposal?  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 [...]