Temporal Variability in the Vertical Separation Distance of Septic System Drainfields Along the Southern Rhode Island Coast

Cox, Alissa H.; Surabian, Deborah A.; Loomis, George W.; Turenne, Jim; Amador, José A.

doi:10.1007/s11270-020-04488-z

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…While changes such as these have been successful in improving septic system functionality and reducing failures, the present regulatory and policy scheme is ultimately limited in its ability to address the long-term impacts of septic systems as they primarily look at the initial installation. For instance, Cox et al, 2020 concluded that revising the septic system regulatory permitting process (i.e., inadequate separation distance from the infiltrative surface of the drainfield to the seasonal high water table) in southern Rhode Island may help protect coastal drinking and surface water resources [ 59 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frontiers in assessing septic systems vulnerability in coastal Georgia, USA: Modeling approach and management implications

et al. 2021

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Threats to public health and environmental quality from septic systems are more prevalent in areas with poorly draining soils, high water tables, or frequent flooding. Significant research gaps exist in assessing these systems’ vulnerability and evaluating factors associated with higher rates of septic systems replacement and repair. We developed a novel GIS-based framework for assessing septic system vulnerability using a database of known septic system specifications and a modified Soil Topographic Index (STI) that incorporates seasonal high groundwater elevation to assess risks posed to septic systems in coastal Georgia. We tested the hypothesis that both the modified STI and septic system specifications such as tank capacity per bedroom and drainfield type would explain most of the variance in septic system repair and replacement using classification inference tree and generalized logistic regression models. Our modeling results indicate that drainfield type (level vs. mounded) is the most significant variable (p-value < 0.001) in predicting septic systems functionality followed by septic tank capacity per bedroom (p-value < 0.01). These show the importance of septic system design regulations such as a minimum requirement for horizontal separation distance between the bottom of trenches and seasonal water table, and adequate tank capacity design. However, for septic systems with a mounded drainfield and a larger tank capacity per bedroom, the modified STI representing hydrological characteristics of septic system location is a significant predictor of a high septic system repair and replacement rate. The methodology developed in this study can have important implications for managing existing septic systems and planning for future development in coastal areas, especially in an environment of rapid climatic change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frontiers in assessing septic systems vulnerability in coastal Georgia, USA: Modeling approach and management implications

et al. 2021

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“…El aumento del nivel del mar, las altas temperaturas, las precipitaciones extremas y los caudales elevados reducen la función de los sistemas sépticos 281,282 . Por ejemplo, los suelos saturados impiden el tratamiento de las aguas residuales en los pozos de drenaje 283 .…”

Section: Infraestructuras Hídricasunclassified

“…Existe evidencia considerable de que el cambio climático y los eventos extremos han afectado de forma negativa las infraestructuras construidas, especialmente las más antiguas, en el Noroeste 100,142,273,278,279,291,307,308,3 11,318,323 . La evidencia varía según los sectores, y múltiples estudios documentan los efectos de la sequía en las infraestructuras y el suministro de agua 277 , los efectos de los incendios forestales en prácticamente todo tipo de infraestructuras 142,277,418 y los efectos de las precipitaciones extremas y las inundaciones en las infraestructuras hídricas y de transporte 29,281,282,283,323 .…”

Section: Descripción De La Base De Evidenciaunclassified

Cap. 27: Noroeste. En: La Quinta Evaluación Nacional del Clima

2023

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Septic system–groundwater–surface water couplings in waterfront communities contribute to harmful algal blooms in Southwest Florida

Brewton¹,

Kreiger²,

Tyre³

et al. 2022

Science of The Total Environment

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Temporal Variability in the Vertical Separation Distance of Septic System Drainfields Along the Southern Rhode Island Coast

Cited by 7 publications

References 31 publications

Frontiers in assessing septic systems vulnerability in coastal Georgia, USA: Modeling approach and management implications

Frontiers in assessing septic systems vulnerability in coastal Georgia, USA: Modeling approach and management implications

Cap. 27: Noroeste. En: La Quinta Evaluación Nacional del Clima

Septic system–groundwater–surface water couplings in waterfront communities contribute to harmful algal blooms in Southwest Florida

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