Over 8,000 septic systems fail in British Colombia every year!
The problem with septic systems and how to better management of decentralized wastewater infrastructure in British Columbia!
Wastewater management in British Columba (BC) is challenging due to varying population densities, highly variable land elevations, predominantly wet climate, unique ecosystems, and vast biodiversity.
With a total population of 4.75 million the negative impacts of inadequate wastewater treatment or management have resulted in past and present issues that includes:
- Eutrophication of the BC Rivers and Lakes (https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/ffip/Reavie_ED1995CanJFishAquatSci.pdf)
- Accumulation of pharmaceuticals and toxic chemicals in the BC Surface Water (http://www.healthsteward.ca/sites/default/files/BCMRPProgramPlan2012to2018.pdf)
In BC, 12.7% of wastewater does not receive any form of treatment before entering the environment. While this is a relatively low percentage, there is room for improvement for wastewater treatment in Beautiful BC (Environment Canada) as the number has been steadily rising since 2010. 
What does this mean for decentralized wastewater infrastructure in BC? The rural population (i.e. those relying on septic systems for wastewater treatment) is approximately 609, 363 (or 14% of the population). If we assume on average 3 persons per household this would point to roughly 203,121 installed septic systems in BC. In terms of system viability, the US EPA states that the average lifetime of a typical septic system is 25 years. This would point to the fact that on average 1 in 25 septic systems on any given year would be defined as failing or about to fail.
Taking these basic assumptions there are approximately 8,125 septic systems failing in BC every year or more than 24,000 British Columbians are living in homes that have failing septic systems.
Industry professionals know under-performing or problem septic systems can be left for extended periods of time by homeowners before an adequate solution is put in place. Perhaps the most obvious barrier to solving the problem septic systems is cost, with replacement systems costing anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 dollars to install. With is massive liability, homeowners are reluctant to solve the issue until it has become more than just an inconvenience.
Failing septic systems come with a host of preventable repercussions. A failing septic system can contaminate ground water supplies and negatively impact human health. These failing systems can pose health risks to homeowners, contaminate waterways, contaminate groundwater, and cause eutrophication of pristine BC’s pristine lakes and rivers.
The causes of these failing systems are numerous and can range from poor maintenance, damaged materials, and the existing design flaw in conventional systems. That adage, “out of site, out of mind” applies. Septic systems are buried in the ground, and they are not easy or pleasant to check, so homeowners tend to forget about them until a significant problem occurs.
Of particular note – there exists a design flaw in all conventional septic systems. This design flaw is not under the control of homeowners who purchased a home with an existing septic system. Traditional septic system design includes tanks that are designed to only settle very large solids and particles, not the suspended solids and BOD still in solution. Over time, organic loading from the tank is transferred to the leachfield. This causes even the best leachfield with the ideal soil type to fail over time.
The design flaw discussed above can be solved by the ClearPodTM solution. ClearPodTM is a robust, drop-in solution that removes 85% organic solids (cBOD, TSS) from an upgraded septic tank. These organics never make it to your leachfield. ClearPod removes those solids, reduces ponding in the leachfield, reduces a food source for the biomat (causing it to remediate) which allows water to percolate through the soil and cause the leachfield to be more productive.
Traditional septic system designs are flawed, but with the addition of ClearPod, both new and existing traditional septic system designs can be improved.
In partnership with George Devlin of Enviro Choice in BC, Island Water Technologies has been working to improve the management of decentralized wastewater treatment infrastructure and protecting the environment in British Columbia since 2015. We are installing units in mainland BC and on the Islands.
It is up to the onsite industry to educate their customers on best practices, provide maintenance, tips, and improve design flaws in new and existing septic systems. Together we can catalyze the improvement of our onsite wastewater infrastructure, improve our health, the health of our beautiful environment, waterways, and protect our precious drinking water reserves.
For any questions or comments about ClearPod solutions in British Columbia, contact George Devlin at Enviro Choice; george@envirochoice.ca