Proper septic system care and maintenance is vital to protecting public health and preserving valuable water resources. During the first-ever SepticSmart Week, Sept. 23-27, the U.S. EPA is encouraging homeowners to take action to ensure their septic systems are functioning properly. Nearly one quarter of all American households — more than 26 million homes — depend on septic systems to treat their wastewater.Failure to maintain and service a home’s septic system can lead to system backups and overflows, which can result in costly repairs, polluted local waterways and risks to public health and the environment. Many septic system failures
