Purdue News

August 7, 1998 Indiana faces failing septic systems WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The septic system failures that have caused health officials to close down homes on Lake Shafer in White County aren't unique. Every Indiana county suffers from failing septic systems, according to recently retired Purdue University soil scientist Joe Yahner. Working with the Indiana State Department of Health, Yahner, Purdue agricultural engineer Don Jones and on-site wastewater disposal specialist Catherine Taylor surveyed Indiana county health departments in 1997 to find out how many septic systems in their areas failed, and why. "The results were not a total surprise, but they helped us define the situation better," said Alan Dunn, residential waste treatment specialist with the health department. "Every county has houses, communities or subdivisions that were set up years ago using what we now consider antiquated systems." Septic systems should filter harmful organisms and chemicals out of waste water before they can reach rivers, lakes or ground water supplies. However, poorly constructed or poorly maintained systems can spew E. coli and other disease-causing organisms into the soil and water. Before the 1960s, few counties kept track of septic failures. Now, as homes pop up across the landscape, more people are looking for assurance that their water is safe. Health officials and Purdue researchers are trying to get a handle on the situation. Yahner and Taylor's survey drew responses from 70 of Indiana's 92 counties. Every county reported problems, but most couldn't give an exact count of septic failures. Often health officials only find out about failed septic systems when health problems are tracked to discharge or when properties are sold. However, when asked how many systems in their counties discharge directly into surface water, county health officials penned comments such as: "2,000 to 3,000 illegally. Total number of systems in the county: 3,200." "800 septic tanks discharge directly to surface water." "Many systems are tanks or 55-gallon drums with a discharge line to the nearest ditch." "Seventy out of every 100 systems [are] failing, or [are] straight lines to ditches." "I have no idea how many failures/discharging systems there are. I'd probably faint if I knew!" Many current problems stem from old systems. Between 1940 and 1960 approximately 300,000 Indiana homes switched from outhouses to indoor plumbing. Many of the first indoor privies sent waste water directly to tile lines or ditches, and still do, Yahner said, even though direct discharge of effluent now is against the law. We need to find such systems and fix them, he said. In addition, we need to help the more than 450 small Indiana communities that have no municipal sewage treatment, Yahner said. Subdivisions that rely on wells and septic systems should not be the norm. "Concentrated groups of houses should be connected to sewer and water systems," he said. "Protection of the home buyer and public health should be paramount. This is serious business, and it requires planning." The price for a safer environment can be high -- as much as $3,500 to $10,000 to replace a septic system for a single household, Yahner said. For some small communities, the cost of building a sewage treatment plant and sewers can exceed the assessed value of the property in the community. Yahner suggested that the state consider providing low-interest loans for homeowners facing such costly upgrades. The state already makes such loans to communities. Yahner, Taylor and Jones have been investigating alternative waste treatment technologies (recirculating sand filters, constructed wetlands, and aerobic treatment plants) suited to rural subdivisions. "New technologies will give us more options at lower costs, although they won't fit every situation," Dunn said. To help county health departments keep track of septic system permits, soil conditions, site conditions and reasons for septic failure, Jones, Yahner and Taylor developed a data base they are distributing free of charge. To use the data base, you need Windows 95, 98, or NT and Microsoft Access 95 or 97. To download the data base template, to find information on alternative waste treatment technologies, or to see Yahner and Taylor's survey, log onto their World Wide Web site at: http://www.agry.purdue.edu/agronomy/landuse/septic/septic/septic.htm Sources: Joe Yahner, (765) 494-8049; e-mail, jhyahner@laf.cioe.com Catherine Taylor (765) 496-3454; e-mail, chtaylor@purdue.edu; Web, http://www.agry.purdue.edu/agronomy/water/labsmb/ctaylor.htm Alan Dunn, (317) 233-7177 Writer: Rebecca J. Goetz (765) 494-0461; e-mail rjg@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page