In the counties surrounding Savannah, Ga., health officials are using a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to map all septic systems. GPS technology will be used to locate thousands of systems. The effort is aimed at identifying failing systems that may be polluting Atlantic Coastal waterways. You can read more about it in this Georgia Public Broadcasting report issued this week:

http://www.gpb.org/news/2013/02/04/south-georgia-maps-septic-tanks

What impact will studies like this one have on pumpers who figure to be called into action to empty, maintain and repair septic tanks thought to be contributing to pollution problems? Will the mapping efforts lead to local governments cracking down on homeowners who ignore minimal maintenance recommendations and periodic pumping?

It seems reasonable to conclude that pumpers could see more work coming from this project. And if it’s effective at reducing pollution in sensitive watershed, it seems reasonable to think that other communities with lakes, rivers and Coastal areas will pursue this idea.

What do you think? To what extent have authorities in your area gone to find leaky tanks and failing systems? And when problem systems have been pinpointed, what have health officials done about it?

Add your comments below or send me an email at editor@pumper.com.