The old name for a septic system is a "cesspool." Cesspools were primitive wastewater disposal systems that primarily consisted of a pit or underground chamber into which raw sewage would flow. Unlike modern septic systems that use natural processes for treatment, cesspools simply collected waste, posing significant environmental and health risks. In many regions, cesspools have been replaced by more efficient and environmentally friendly septic systems, which offer better wastewater treatment and disposal capabilities.