Septic

Septage can also contain nitrogen in the form of nitrate. During a spill or leak of septage, nitrogen can leach into ground waters or collect in stormwater run-off and wash into nearby waters, contaminating water quality. High nitrate concentrations in drinking water can cause methemoglobinemia, a potentially fatal infant disease known as blue baby syndrome. Nitrogen can also result in excessive algal growth, which can cause natural resource damage by harming ecosystems and aquatic life, including the death of fish, shellfish, and plants.

Leaks in sewer lines may result in the migration of sewer gases into living/work areas and utility conduits. Toxic gases are produced by the natural treatment processes in septic tanks and may include hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, methane, esters, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. Sewer gases can be highly flammable and may build up to explosive levels or cause loss of business and habitability of the building. Low-level exposure can cause many health effects, including eye and respiratory tract irritation. Exposure to high concentrations can result in loss of consciousness and death.

Using heavy equipment and pumper trucks on a property could result in driving over septic tanks, septic piping, or drain fields, damaging the septic system, and releasing contaminated septage or gases.

Failure to properly locate underground utilities and pipelines may cause septic contractors to strike a line and cause leakage. Underground utilities, like gas lines, water and sewage pipes, and unknown hazards beneath the surface, such as abandoned storage tanks, can be impacted. An accidental puncture and release of fuel oil, chemicals, toxic gases, or sewage can contaminate soil and groundwater and release hazardous air emissions, resulting in cleanup costs, bodily injury, and third-party property damage claims.

During transportation from a jobsite to a disposal facility, a spill or leak of hauled waste could occur from equipment malfunction or a vehicle upset or overturn, resulting in an environmental cleanup or tort liability. During the loading and unloading of waste, equipment not properly attached/connected could also result in a pollution release.

Federal and state laws may regulate the disposal of collected septage and require appropriate permits. Disposal may also need approval at the facility, which may impose company dumping requirements. Septage may be disposed of in various ways, including at a wastewater treatment plant, an independent septage treatment plant, and through a land application such as fertilizer or burial in sanitary landfills. Septage waste can contain biohazards, chemicals, and other contaminants disposed of in a septic system. Improper disposal procedures, or spills and leaks while unloading at the disposal site, could seriously threaten human health and the environment, resulting in cleanup and tort liability.

Cleaning pump tanks, trucks, equipment, and port-a-potties generate wastewater contaminated with biohazards, chemicals, bleach, and detergents. Improper collection, containment, and disposal could contaminate surrounding soils and groundwater or discharge into stormwater drains that may run directly into water bodies without treatment.