Please read this introductory information carefully before completing your self-assessment. You should complete this self-assessment if you use a septic system or similar system to treat household wastewater. Your responses to this self-assessment are for your use. Although completing this self-assessment is voluntary, taking a few minutes to respond to it may help identify activities that could lead to water quality problems. If you need other help or follow-up information, contact your county Extension office.
Most rural homes use some type of septic system to treat household wastewater.
These systems generally are economical and effective in treating these wastes. However, your septic system must be properly designed, installed, and maintained to reduce possible harmful impacts to the groundwater that supplies your drinking water, your neighbors' drinking water, or to surface waters such as a nearby stream. If significant amounts of any of these enter drinking water, they could produce health problems for you, your family, your pets and livestock, or your neighbors. A properly designed and functioning septic system breaks down harmful bacteria. In some cases, local conditions may keep a septic system from performing as designed.