Lakefront homeowners should get to know their septic system | Smith Mountain Lake Local News

A home’s sewage system near the lake or its tributaries can have a significant impact on the lake and its ecosystem. If not maintained, septic systems can wreak havoc on the waters of this community.

Property owners should familiarize themselves with the type of wastewater treatment plant on their property. Frequent inspection and proper maintenance can be beneficial from a health and financial point of view. This will help prevent negative septic effects. Failed systems not only pollute, they are also expensive to repair or replace.

For those unfamiliar, sewage treatment plants are underground sewage treatment structures that are commonly used in rural areas with no centralized sewage systems. Much of the homes on Smith Mountain Lake rely on septic tanks. They use a combination of nature and proven technology to treat sewage from household plumbing.

A typical sewage system consists of a sewage tank and a soil absorption field. The septic tank digests organic matter and separates floating matter (e.g. oils and fats) and solids from the wastewater. Soil-based systems divert the liquid (called sewage) from the septic tank into a series of perforated pipes that are buried in a leaching field, chambers, or other special device to slowly release the sewage into the soil. There are other types of systems in Virginia including a septic tank, conventional system, aerobic treatment unit, and an alternate system.

Property owners can help their sewage treatment plants work properly by following these steps:

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