Abandon Assumptions
By Elizabeth Cutright

Can fragile habitats and onsite water treatment systems peacefully coexist?

In many parts of the country, communities are choosing to move from centralized treatment systems to onsite water treatment systems. Their decisions are often based on the realization that small, cluster systems can be economically and environmentally sound. From large municipalities to small rural developments, the future of water treatment lies in decentralization.

Some communities have already experienced the benefits of incorporating a modern onsite water treatment system into their existing setup. In Barnstable County, MA, for example, an advanced decentralized system (including nitrogen removal and drainfield remediation) has resulted in the protection of an ecologically fragile location that just happens to include Thoreau’s Walden Pond. (For more information see  http://barnstablecountyhealth.org/AlternativeWebpage/index.htm.)

Equally precious are the coastal habitats on both the east and west coasts of the United States.  As fragile as they are beautiful, many of these delicate ecosystems suffer under the strain of overdevelopment, high bacterial counts, and beach closures. In some cases, the source of the pollution can be tracked back to residential communities relying on aging septic systems. Because septic is the culprit, a popular solution involves replacing these leaky septic tanks with new, sleek centralized sewer systems.

Such is the case at Rincon Point, in California, a world-famous surf spot that curves along the Pacific Ocean through two counties and three communities. In July of this year, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors opened the door to a centralized sewer system by unanimously passing a resolution designed to allow Rincon Point homeowners to self-impose a septic-to-sewer tax. Those in favor of the resolution believe replacing the existing septic setup will solve the community’s pollution issues. 

But is this really their best option?

Why not replace the existing septic systems with modern onsite water treatment alternatives rather than installing a costly (and potentially habitat-destroying) centralized sewer system? When properly installed and maintained, onsite water treatment systems can not only meet federal and state effluent standards but also be engineered (via advanced treatments such as nutrient removal and disinfection) to actually benefit the environment in which they are placed.

The truth is sometimes septic systems fail, but so do centralized sewer systems, and often on a much grander scale. Think of the thousands of miles of Depression-era pipes currently sitting quietly beneath city streets: ticking time bombs waiting to wreak havoc. Imagine the potential pollution catastrophe when one of those 75-year-old sewer mains ruptures, spilling out all manner of muck and mayhem.

By comparing a sewer-main break with the failure of a handful of residential septic systems, it’s easy to see the gamble being waged by the residents of Rincon Point—after all, isn’t it likely that switching from septic to sewer may merely delay coastal pollution while setting up Rincon for a much bigger problem 50 years from now?

Onsite Water - September/October 2007