Why should I pump my septic system?
Many residences in Teton County, WY use individual septic systems to treat household wastewater. Septic systems can pollute our drinking water, streams, rivers, and wetlands.
As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to regularly maintain your system.
- A malfunctioning system can contaminate groundwater and pollute our surface waters.
- Regular maintenance can also help homeowners avoid costly system repairs and replacement.
- Have your system inspected and the septic tank pumped out regularly by a qualified service technician.
Groundwater contamination by poorly or untreated household wastewater poses dangers to drinking water and the environment. Malfunctioning septic systems can release nutrients and pathogens into our water that can be harmful to people and animals. When these pollutants are released into the ground, they can make their way into drinking water sources and cause drinking water wells to become contaminated. They can also enter streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands, causing harm to fish, wildlife, and plants.
Septic Systems in Teton County, WY
- Teton County has over 2000 septic systems that release wastewater effluent into the ground.
- Ideally, the soil would absorb nitrogen and phosphorus and prevent the nutrients from entering the groundwater.
- Most of the valley floor, with its coarse soils and shallow groundwater, is a poor filtration system.
- Nutrients flow through into the groundwater, which is our only source of drinking water.
- Interaction between the groundwater and surface waters allows nutrients to pollute our streams and rivers.