Could it be that industry public education efforts are paying dividends, that good news about the effectiveness of onsite septic systems is taking hold? At a time when it’s sometimes difficult to stem the tide of promoting big pipe expansion in the news media, a March 5 story in the Connecticut newspaper, the Westport News, gives the benefit of a doubt to the viability of septic systems.

“Proper installation and maintenance of a septic system, which handles household waste disposed of through the sink, toilet and shower, can be a boon for the environment. The septic system reduces a lot of the waste, and the soil and microbes help clean it up. But when something goes wrong, surface water, such as streams, rivers and lakes, can be affected,’’ says the story aimed at exploring the issue of septic vs. sewer systems.

The article goes on:

“Mark Cooper, director of the Westport Weston Health District, stressed that a properly engineered and maintained septic tank is a positive thing for the environment and keeps ground water healthy. Nowadays, soil testing is done to test the land's ability to clean the waste and the rate at which water can pass through the soil.

"A lot of thought goes into ... putting in a new septic system today," Cooper said. "That wasn't the case 50 years ago."

The story noted that a properly functioning septic system places water back into the environment, while water flowing into a sewer system is taken away and eventually dumped into far-away bodies of water. This could deplete groundwater and require extension of municipal water service. Sources also mentioned a Septic Education Task Force that will inform homeowners about proper care of septic tanks.

The even-handed story made two points that could boost the pumping industry: 1. Growing communities shouldn’t extend municipal sewers as a knee-jerk reaction to development, and, 2. Septic systems need to be installed and routinely maintained by professionals.