EC98-772 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’s System for Assessing Water Contamination Worksheet 8: Household Wastewater Treatment

Authors

Robert Grisso, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
DeLynn Hay, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Paul J. Jasa, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow
Richard K. Koelsch, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Sharon Skipton, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow
Wayne Woldt, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1998

Comments

© 1998, The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska on behalf of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Why should I be concerned? Virtually all farms and rural housing use a septic system or similar on-site wastewater treatment system. While these systems are generally economical and safe, household wastewater can contain contaminants that degrade water quality for uses such as drinking, pet and stock watering, food preparation, and cleaning. Potential contaminants in household wastewater include disease-causing bacteria, infectious viruses, household chemicals, and excess nutrients, such as nitrate.