A new approach to waste management that doesn’t involve putting your kids to work may not be necessary for the next century, but it is worth considering.
According to the Environmental Defense Fund, nearly 1 billion gallons of wastewater are discharged into the United States each year, enough to fill over 10 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.
These “non-hazardous” waste are generally dumped into streams and rivers and can damage wetlands, rivers and aquifers.
According to a report by the National Resources Defense Council, the number of seeps that are being released to the environment has risen more than 60 percent since 1997.
The waste has an enormous environmental and economic impact, especially when it comes to the communities that depend on them.
As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving forward with its efforts to limit the use of toxic septic systems in U.S. communities.
But what about the communities most at risk of pollution?
As with any new project, there are many factors to consider.
A recent EPA report on septic waste in America identified the following factors as contributing to pollution: pollution from municipal wastewater treatment plants, pollution from industrial processes, industrial activities that involve chemical and biological contaminants, waste that is improperly stored and mismanaged, and wastewater from sewage treatment plants that washes into streams.
So what can you do to minimize your own risk of seeping pollution?
Here are a few things you can do to reduce your risk:Do you have an EPA-approved septic system?
In many communities, septic water treatment plants and wastewater treatment facilities are the only alternatives to treatment that are allowed by law.
That means the city or the county that you live in will have a right to take over your septic facility.
If your sept is currently in violation of this law, you will need to petition to have it upgraded.
This process typically takes about six months.
How much will it cost?
To upgrade your sep, you’ll need to meet a number of criteria.
First, you must have a septic treatment plant with a permit that allows for septic transfer of pollutants.
This means that septic-treatment plants that have been inspected and are operating in accordance with the requirements of the Clean Water Act will be required to have a permit for sept expansion.
You must also meet a state permit that provides for the treatment of pollutants in the water.
You will also need to have sufficient space and time to complete the upgrades.
In most cases, these requirements will cost $2,500 to $3,000 per septic cell.
However, the EPA also has a number, depending on the facility and the type of facility, that can be added to your bill.
For example, a municipal wastewater plant in Texas will typically cost $6,000 for a 1,000-square-foot (45 square meter) septic unit, and a private septic plant in New Jersey costs $8,000.
For more information, you can contact the EPA at:Environmental Protection Agency,Office of Environmental Quality,1601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Suite 4120, Washington, DC 20036-6240Phone: (202) 512-4400 (office) or (202)(202) 488-4040 (fax)For more questions, visit:www.epa.gov/waste/faqs/wastewater/index.html