There are three main reasons why septic system maintenance is so important. The first reason is money. Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace, and poor maintenance is a common cause of early system failures. The minimal amount of preventative maintenance that septic systems require, costs very little in comparison. For example, it typically cost from $3000 to $10.000 to replace a failing septic system with a new one, compared to approximately $200 to $350 to have it pumped.
The second and most important reason to maintain your system is to protect the health of your family, your community, and the environment. When septic systems fail, inadequately treated household wastewater is released into the environment. Any contact with untreated human waste can pose significant health risks, and untreated wastewater from failing septic systems can contaminate nearby wells, groundwater, and drinking water sources. Chemicals improperly released through a septic system also can pollute local water sources and can contribute to system failures. For this reason it is important for homeowners to educate themselves about what should and should not be disposed of through a septic system.
Finally, the third reason to maintain your septic system is to protect the economic health of your community. Failed septic systems can cause property values to decline. Sometimes building permits cannot be issued or real estate sales can be delayed for these properties until systems are repaired or replaced. Also, failed septic systems can contribute to pollution. Too much of the nutrient nitrogen is polluting the Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent River and the Solomon's Harbor. This nitrogen increases the growth of algae. Algae cloud the water and prevent sunlight from reaching the rooted aquatic plants necessary for a healthy Bay. When algae die, their decomposition process uses up oxygen that fish, crabs, and other marine life need to live. Together, these factors create poor water quality and dead zones.
We all use the water in our community, we swim, sail, fish, catch crabs, use motor-boats, and more! It's important to keep our water clean because a healthy Bay means a healthy Maryland.
