People in the Beaver Lake Watershed who live in areas not served by centralized sewer systems normally rely on septic tank systems for wastewater treatment and disposal. But many people haven’t a clue about how to properly maintain a septic tank. When septic tanks aren’t maintained, untreated waste containing pathogens can contaminate soil, drinking water wells and nearby water bodies creating a health risk to people and wildlife.
“Septic failures pose an extra risk to our water supply because of the karst terrain in Northwest Arkansas, which makes it easier for contaminants coming from failed septic systems to make it into ground water or other water bodies like Beaver Lake,” Shelly Dare Smith, program manager of Ozarks Water Watch said.
OWW has a Septic Tank Remediation Program providing grants and zero interest loans to Northwest Arkansas homeowners for the repair or replacement of failing septic tank systems.
Household wastewater is treated by a septic system before it filters into the soil. Recycled water from a septic system can help replenish groundwater supplies; however, if the system is not working properly, it can contaminate nearby drinking water wells or surface water bodies. Extent of the impact depends on how well the septic system is maintained and if it is used properly.
It is unfortunate that many homeowners don’t realize you can’t just flush it and forget it with a septic tank. “Just committing to having the tank pumped every 3-5 years is a good start because with a septic professional checking out the system, that frequently increases the chance they will notice problems before they become complete and expensive failures,” Smith said.
The frequency of pumping tanks out can depend on the size of the septic system and how many people are living in the home. Smith said regular tank pumping is one of the very best ways to maintain the system – overfilled tanks are more likely to crack and/or collapse.
“It is also very important that things like hygiene products, “flushable” wipes, and other cleaning wipes do not get flushed down the drains, as these are not broken down in the septic tank and can cause blockages and backup,” Smith said. “In the yard it is important to not landscape around the drain field with plants that have deep roots, and to avoid driving over or parking heavy machinery in the drain field.”
A wet yard, especially over septic system components. is a tell-tale sign of a problem. There may or may not be an odor. Also, spongy green grass around septic components is another big sign – grass that seems to be better watered and better fertilized than the rest of the yard – is often due to a failure somewhere in the system.
Slow, gurgling drains inside the home, including backup in drains, can be an indication of a problem, but generally only if the tank has been pumped recently. If a homeowner is experiencing slow drains or backup and has not had the tank pumped in more than 3-5 years, then often a pumping will fix the problem.
Smith said symptoms of septic failures are generally worse during the wetter times of the year because the ground is already wet and less able to absorb wastewater leaking out of system components. Smells resulting from failures are often more apparent after heavy rainfall. Sometimes a failing septic tank could easily be mistaken for an underground spring.
It is a good idea, but not required, for home sellers to have a septic tank inspection before selling a house. Smith said they would love to see this be required. Septic inspections are separate from general home inspections, and unless the prospective homeowner already has some knowledge of septic systems, they often do not know it is important to request a septic inspection.
“We have been working to educate real estate agents about this with the hope they will encourage their buyers to have these inspections,” Smith said.
It is not known how many failing septic tanks there may be around Beaver Lake. Some people have reported getting ill with gastrointestinal problems while swimming after heavy rainfalls.
“Lakeside properties can present a problem especially if the system is twenty-plus years old,” Smith said. “We want to encourage anyone living around the lake, or across the entire watershed, to at a minimum have their system inspected, and if a problem is found, then our program can help.”
Through their program, everyone is eligible for a zero percent interest loan up to $30,000 to remediate/replace a failing septic system (as long as they reside within the Beaver Reservoir Watershed). Based on the homeowner’s taxable income, they may also be eligible for a grant – which is free money to the homeowner and does not require repayment. Loans can be repaid over a maximum of 10 years.
When drain lines fail because of plant growth or compacting from being driven over, it can be expensive to dig them up and replace them. Smith said that is why their program exists.
“We want to help people address failures because we all share the same drinking water source – so we all have a stake in water quality,” Smith said.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Commission has granted $1 million to H2Ozarks for septic system remediation from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.
Eligible projects must be:
1) Physically located within the Beaver Reservoir Watershed.
2) Designated as failing by an ADH Environmental Health Specialist from your County Health Unit.
To download an application, go to
h2ozarks.org/septic/arseptic/ or call Smith at (479) 866-7220.