2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference
March 13 - 15, 2022
5/24/2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | ASSESSING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PATTERNS OF SEPTIC TANK MAINTENANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES IN ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA, USA | Virtual Platform
ASSESSING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PATTERNS OF SEPTIC TANK MAINTENANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES IN ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA, USA
Approximately 20 percent of the population in the United States uses an onsite wastewater treatment system. Conventional subsurface septic systems (SSs) are a common onsite wastewater treatment option as they offer an affordable alternative to sewer network expansion. However, little is known about what influences SS maintenance or failure rates. Poorly sited or inadequately maintained SSs can be a source of pathogenic and nutrient pollution, and regular upkeep is paramount to ensuring SSs remain functional. Yet, recommended SS pumping intervals are inconsistently followed because SSs are usually located on private land. Consequently, guidelines rely on voluntary SS owner participation. Therefore, a better understanding of what factors drive SS maintenance and repairs is needed to reduce risks to communities, guide management, and protect waterways. To address these challenges, this project explored relationships between spatio-temporal SS characteristics and county-level SS maintenance records from Athens-Clarke County, Georgia to isolate the attributes of pumped and repaired SSs. We then used those relationships to estimate the performance of SSs without maintenance records. This analysis helps elucidate where and when SSs may fail and can aid decision makers in equitably prioritizing wastewater infrastructure investments and policies.
- Socio-ecological systems
- Land use
- Policy
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Presenters/Authors
Kyle Connelly
(), University of Georgia, kyle.connelly@uga.edu;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Nandita Gaur
(), University of Georgia, nandita.gaur@uga.edu;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Jacob McDonald
(), University of North Georgia at Gainesville, jacob.mcdonald@ung.edu;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Krista Capps
(), University of Georgia, kcapps@uga.edu;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -