Existing septic systems may fail for a number of reasons. For the owner, the system is failing if it is not treating the wastewater effectively. The most common causes of system failure are excessive water, improper maintenance, or an inadequately designed system. Diagnosing the specific causes may be difficult for the owner and often requires the skills of a professional . The following chart shows common problems and their possible causes and remedies.
Many waterborne diseases exist in household sewage.
Sewage surfacing in yard Human contact with sewage is a serious public health risk. Many water-borne diseases exist in household sewage. The above public health risks are magnified by possible ingestion of contaminated water. The system may be inoperable.