Soil-based septic systems serve about one in every four households in the United States. Proper design and quality of soil play an important role in the functioning of such systems. Shallow soils in Ohio do not support traditional leach field systems that require a depth of 4 feet of soil for effective treatment of domestic wastewater. Untreated or partially treated wastewater not only affects the immediate residents, but also contaminates the groundwater aquifer and the local watershed. Wastewater management is not just a technical issue, but one that crosses several disciplines. Challenges to effective wastewater management in rural Ohio are identified in this dissertation and some novel solutions that encompass attitudinal, economic and technological approaches are proposed.
Siting leach field systems in shallow soils leads to insufficient treatment of wastewater, leading to private costs for the property owner and public costs for the society. One of the private costs is a loss of property valuation. An analysis of 549 households in Licking County revealed that soil quality is a significant factor in the price of a property. Soils suited for the installation of leach fields and mound systems were shown to be significantly higher than soils that are rated ‘sub-optimal’ for wastewater treatment performance. Additionally, the difference in valuation due to the varying soil quality equals the cost of installing advanced treatment systems.
When soil depths range from 1 to 2 feet, a combination of onsite treatment system and disinfection, followed by irrigation of the treated wastewater is recommended. Presently, disinfection options for onsite systems are restricted to chlorination, ultraviolet radiation and ozonation. An automated disinfection device to deliver portable packets of chlorine dioxide was built and installed in the field. Water quality tests showed chlorine dioxide to be an effective disinfectant for onsite system needs. The field setup successfully demonstrated reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation of private lawns and gardens.
Regulations in Ohio do not allow reuse of wastewater for irrigation. Understanding the behavior of local communities towards natural resources is integral to the creation of effective policies and their implementation. Public perception towards reuse of treated wastewater was explored through a web survey of students at the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University. The students were supportive of water management and reuse efforts and placed a greater trust in the university to implement such a program.
In summary, the introduction of the attitudinal, economic and technological approaches as problem-solving tools in the wastewater management matrix will help residents make informed choices and present regulatory and lawmaking bodies with additional policy options. Well-managed septic systems can be a cost-effective and sustainable solution for wastewater management in rural areas across the world, while protecting drinking water supplies and guaranteeing public health.