CAN OVERUSE OF WATER CONTRIBUTE TO A FAILING OSDS SYSTEM?

Overuse and pollution of the world's freshwater resources are a recent development. Their long-term consequences are unknown. Already, however, they have taken a heavy toll on the environment, and they pose increasing risks for many species. Polluted water and lack of sanitation also are fostering a human health tragedy. Moreover, the sad state of freshwater resources contributes to the deterioration of coastal waters and seas.

In 1996 the world's human population was using an estimated 54% of all the accessible freshwater contained in rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers. This percentage is conservatively projected to climb to at least 70% by 2025, reflecting population growth alone, and by much more if per capita consumption continues to rise at its current pace. The proper accountable usage of household water can be an important link in the overall world-wide water availability.

Many homeowners are unaware of proper OSDS operation and maintenance principles. They often do not know how frequently their septic tanks need to be pumped, what hydraulic load their systems can accommodate, and what should or should not be disposed of in their systems (Huang, 1983). Some homeowners use septic system cleaners containing substances that may contaminate ground water, may provide little to no benefit to the OSDS, and may even be harmful to the system (RIDEM, 1988). Public education programs can help homeowners to prepare, operate, and maintain OSDS and thus help to ensure the continued pollutant removal effectiveness of the OSDS. A variety of brochures and other educational materials regarding OSDS have already been developed, and these materials have been used in many areas to educate the general public about proper OSDS operation and maintenance (e.g., the Chesapeake Bay Region, Puget Sound).

The many benefits of water use efficiency include cost savings and pollution prevention even beyond nonpoint source pollution because many pollution prevention practices and activities result in reduced water use, which saves money. However, some pollution prevention practices that do not reduce NPS pollution also provide a cost savings, making these three driving forces (water use efficiency, cost savings, and pollution prevention) great companions. The umbrella term "water use efficiency" includes water conservation (finding ways to use less water to begin with) and water reuse and reclamation, such as "closed loop cycles" to reuse water in commercial and industrial settings or use of partially treated wastewater for lawn watering and in industrial settings. We can reduce wastage of water for example if we help reduce onsite disposal system failures and decrease runoff of nutrients and soil from landscaped areas or agricultural fields.

By reducing septic system failures and conserving irrigation water, we can also protect ground water from nitrates and salinity to preserve and safeguard our drinking water supplies. State and local agencies should make use of these materials and implement mailing and information dissemination programs. Brochures mailed to homeowners as part of general utility correspondence or as special mailings are also effective. Posters and other materials distributed at libraries can help disseminate this information to the public. Educational and outreach programs should target builders, buyers, system installation contractors, inspectors, and enforcement personnel, in addition to homeowners, realtors, and pumpers.

As humankind withdraws a growing share of all water, less remains to maintain the vital ecosystems on which we also depend. A substantial portion of the total freshwater available in the hydrological cycle is needed to sustain natural aquatic ecosystems—marshes, rivers, coastal wetlands—and the millions of species that they shelter. Healthy natural ecosystems are indispensable regulators of water quality and quantity. For example, flood plain wetlands soak up and store water when rivers flood their banks, reducing downstream damage.

Finally, overusing water in the household can lead to the failure of onsite sewage disposal systems (OSDS), as well as increased addition of pollutants associated with household water uses to surface and ground waters. Because many OSDS soil absorption field failures are attributed to hydraulic overload, reducing water use at many locations in the average household leaking toilets and other fixtures, showers and baths, inefficient appliances such as dishwashers or washing machines will ease hydraulic loading.