In Nebraska, extreme winter temperatures can come on quickly and hang around for extended periods. Those extended periods of cold can be hard on things, but what impact do they have on your septic system? Can they affect your well and your water system? And what can you do to limit any impact?
Odors that can be compared to rotten eggs are not ideal in your home or coming from your drinking water faucet. Sulfates, which are a combination of sulfur and oxygen, are naturally occurring minerals. They are found in some soil and rock formations where groundwater is also found. Bacteria that feed on sulfur can produce hydrogen sulfide gas which is the primary offender when it comes to odor.
Additives such as yeast are marketed as a quick and easy way to improve bacterial degradation of the wastewater within a system such as a lagoon. However, the reality is that none of the yeast additives have been proven to be effective in improving bacterial action within your lagoon. Additionally, yeast additives have shown to have negative impacts on groundwater quality as well as potential further negative impact on surrounding environmental resources such as vegetation. If you think the waste treatment is insufficient, consider taking the following two steps:
This year’s National SepticSmart Week is September 18-22, 2017. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses a week in September each year to focus on improved awareness of proper operation and maintenance of septic systems across the United States. The wastewater of approximately 25 percent of the population of the United States is treated by on-site or individual wastewater systems. In Nebraska, this statistic holds consistent with 25 percent of our state’s population being served by onsite wastewater systems on farms, acreages, suburbs and even some small communities.
Water use inside and outside the home can increase significantly both inside and outside the home during the summer. Learn some easy conservation measures that can result in saving water, energy and money.