25,000 failing septic systems in Ontario every year
25,000 Failing septic systems in Ontario every year – The numbers and what can be done!!
Wastewater management in Ontario is challenging due to the vast land mass and varying population densities spread throughout.
With a total population of 13.6 million the negative impacts of inadequate wastewater treatment or management have resulted in past and present issues that include:
- Eutrophication of the Great Lakes (https://www.ec.gc.ca/grandslacs-greatlakes/default.asp?lang=En&n=6201FD24-1)
- Accumulation of pharmacuticals and toxic chemicals in the Great Lakes (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653513010412)
Although not is all doom and gloom. In Ontario the vast majority of wastewater does receive some degree of treatment with less than 1% of wastewater going untreated (Environment Canada).
But what does this mean for the on-site or decentralized industry and can we understand more clearly how well installed septic systems are performing in Ontario?
The rural population (i.e. those relying on septic systems for wastewater treatment) is approximately 1.36 million (or 14% of the population). If we assume on average 3 persons per household this would point to roughly 634,666 installed septic systems in Ontario. 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 25,000 septic systems failing in Ontario every year. Or more than 75,000 Ontarians every year are living in homes that have failing septic systems.
Now this a best case scenario – as most 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 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 – is that 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.
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 which improves our health, our environment, our waterways, our drinking water reserves.
For any questions of comments about ClearPod solutions contact Lucas Sherry lsherry@islandwatertech.com
Author: Mr. Lucas Sherry
