What can excessive water use do to a septic system?

Excessive water use can overload a septic system, leading to failures in its operation. A septic system is designed to handle a specific amount of wastewater from a household. When water use exceeds this capacity, it can overwhelm the system, preventing solids from settling properly and causing backups. This overload can lead to saturated soil around the drain field, potentially resulting in the system failing to filter contaminants effectively. As a result, this excessive water can lead to significant environmental issues, including the risk of untreated sewage surfacing in yards or contaminating groundwater. Therefore, understanding the impact of water usage is crucial for maintaining the functionality and health of a septic system.