This article will cover keeping groundwater away from leach field lines. Groundwater is generally accessed for irrigation, industrial use, and drinking. Rainfall delivers it to the ground. When it reaches the ground, it moves into the rocks and soil called aquifers. This is accessed by water companies so that they could tap into the groundwater and deliver clean water that we can use for everyday activities. It is a very important resource especially during dry seasons. Groundwater helps sustain the flow of the streams, wetlands, and other aquatic environments.
Various communities prioritize the safety of groundwater because majority of residents use it as a sources of clean drinking water. Sadly, there have been cases where groundwater has been polluted. This is because many have taken it for granted. That is why the US Environmental Protection Agency has come up with the Ground Water Rule. It was published in the Federal Register on the 8th of November, 2006. This rule aims to increase the ground water’s level of protection against pathogens. The EPA is mainly focused on the groundwater that is very susceptible to contamination brought about by fecal material. Disease-causing bacteria thrive in fecal matter so it is crucial to protect groundwater from this type of impurity.
The established GWR applies to public water supply systems that use groundwater as their main resource. It is also applicable to any water system that is able to mix groundwater and surface water. There are systems that just directly add groundwater into their system without treating it. As a result, their consumers receive untreated groundwater. Health and sanitation are very important and with the help of the GWR, all consumers are confident that they will always get safe drinking water.
Some residents have private wells dug and built on their premises so that they could also get direct access to groundwater. As homeowners, they have to make sure that their access point is hazard-free by keeping groundwater away from leach field lines. If you want to have a well, you have to isolate the groundwater from your leach field. Once wastewater and groundwater mix up, you won’t be able to use your clean groundwater anymore. Below are some of the things you can do to make sure that your groundwater is separated from your leach field lines:
- Always be aware of the GWR.
If you are always aware of the GWR, you allow yourself to be educated about how important sanitation is when it comes to protecting groundwater.
- Maintain a regular pump out schedule for your septic tank.
By doing so, you will prevent the sludge from accumulating in the tank. If the sludge is just allowed to build up, the tank will overflow with raw sewage. It will go straight into the soil and reach the groundwater.
- Provide a secure cap for your well.
This cap will keep impurities from the surface of the well from contaminating the groundwater. It will also keep out animals that might eliminate in the well. Make sure that only you or a loved one have the key to the cap so that it will remain intact and stable even if you’re out of the house.
- Avoid keeping toxic compounds (solvents, fertilizers) near your well.
This should be practiced strictly to protect your groundwater. You should keep them stored away from your well or from your groundwater access point.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals for cleaning.
Once these compounds reach the septic system, the resident bacteria will be killed off and the wastewater won’t be treated anymore. The solid waste particles will reach the leach field lines and clog them. The result would be a dreadful wastewater overflow that will seep into the ground and contaminate the groundwater.
If you have your own well or direct access to groundwater, it is best to have your drinking water tested regularly so that you can monitor its safety. Keeping groundwater away from leach field lines will definitely make you feel more secure about the water you use and drink every day.