What Are The Consequences Of An Unmaintained Septic Tank?

 

Septic systems are highly at risk and in danger to be damaged after the flooding. After any flooding, homeowners should not pump their tanks. If they pump out the wastewater when flooding just occurred, it would end in the tank floating out of the soil. The reason for this is because the soil was softened by the recent flooding. If the tank comes up, it is going to damage the pipes. It is important to have frequent tank maintenance but avoid it if recent flooding occurred. The best solution in situations like this is often to plug the drains in the basement to reduce any water usage within the house.

Repercussions of An Unmaintained Tank

Aside from flooding precautions, it is best to have a regular septic tank maintenance schedule. Without it, septic systems are sure to fail. A failing septic system has dangerous repercussions. It includes water contamination and water-borne diseases.

Diseases Commonly Caused by Wastewater

Septic tank systems are the foremost important contributors to wastewater that is most often reported sources of groundwater contamination, especially within the US. Parasites like worms and protozoans, viruses, and bacteria are the kinds of pathogens found in wastewater that are dangerous for humans.

Fungi which can cause eye, skin, or respiratory infections also grow in sewage, also as sewage sludge. These viruses and bacteria could even be transported very fast and can contaminate nearby water sources.

Bacteria are microscopic organisms that are mostly responsible for several wastewater-related diseases. These diseases include cholera, gastroenteritis, paratyphoid, and typhoid. Most bacteria can infect the stomach, as well as the intestinal tract. The symptoms include diarrhea, headache, fever, nausea, abdominal cramps, and even vomiting. The symptoms may occur from hours to days after ingestion, depending on the number of bacteria ingested.

Viruses don't multiply outside the host. Wastewater is often a hostile environment for viruses to survive. However, when wastewater just comes in, there are enough viruses that can survive for some time which can make people sick. Some of the viruses include polio, hepatitis A, and viral gastroenteritis are some diseases that came from viruses that live in the wastewater.

The types of parasites that are found in wastewater include parasitic worms and protozoans. Drinking water that is polluted with protozoans will cause the parasite to multiply within the body, which may cause diarrhea. A protozoan parasite called entamoeba can also cause amoebiasis which is also referred to as amebic dysentery. Parasitic worms can also live in untreated sewage. Roundworms and tapeworms are some of the foremost common sorts of parasites across the United States. Parasitic eggs that are found in untreated sewage might get ingested if a septic system fails.

Water Contamination

Water is used for essential purposes like washing clothes and dishes which have major contact with the body. Water is also used for taking a shower. The most essential usage for water would be for drinking. Water that is used for drinking must be optimally clean without any contamination as much as possible. If a septic system encounters troubles that aren't maintained well, the wastewater on the tank can pollute the water used within the house.

If the sewage isn't properly fixed, the contents may find their way through the leakage which can contaminate the groundwater. If a small droplet of wastewater comes into any sort of clean water, it is enough to cause illnesses to occur to some people, especially immune-compromised people.

There are many instances where it could lead to some serious health issues, which can depend on the bacteria and chemicals that leaked to the clean water source. Homeowners need to confirm that there are no leaks, which is why frequent maintenance must be administered.

Compromised Oxygen

A septic tank that has dangerous chemicals mixed with the wastewater will have dangerous fumes coming out of it. If the leak is not fixed or repaired, the leak can let the fumes out, lowering the levels of oxygen inside a house. Sewage systems have a gas build-up. When the gas escapes the oxygen might get depleted which could lead to problems for humans and animals.

These diseases and contamination are often prevented by ensuring that there are frequent septic tank maintenance and check-ups.