scholarly journals Septic Systems

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony A. Adegoke ◽  
◽  
Thor-Axel Stenstrom ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Septic Systems

Microbial contamination in groundwater supply in a cold climate and coarse soil: case study of norovirus outbreak at Lake Mývatn, Iceland

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1114-1128 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Gunnarsdottir ◽  
S. M. Gardarsson ◽  
H. O. Andradottir
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Removal Rate ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Septic Systems ◽  
Groundwater Velocity ◽  
Groundwater Supply

This paper explores the fate and transport of microbial contamination in a cold climate and coarse aquifers. A confirmed norovirus outbreak in a small rural water supply in the late summer of 2004, which is estimated to have infected over 100 people, is used as a case study. A septic system, 80 m upstream of the water intake, is considered to have contaminated drinking water. Water samples tested were negative for coliform and strongly positive for norovirus. Modelling predicts that a 4.8-log10 removal was possible in the 8 m thick vadose zone, while only a 0.7-log10 and 2.7-log10 removal in the aquifer for viruses and Escherichia coli, respectively. The model results support that the 80 m setback distance was inadequate and roughly 900 m aquifer transport distance was needed to achieve 9-log10 viral removal. Sensitivity analysis showed that the most influential parameters on model transport removal rate are grain size diameter and groundwater velocity, temperature and acidity. The results demonstrate a need for systematic evaluation of septic systems in rural areas in lesser studied coarse strata at low temperatures, thereby strengthening data used for regulatory requirements for more confident determination on safe setback distances.

Solonetzic soils of Canada: Genesis, distribution, and classification

2011 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 889-902 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Miller ◽  
J. A. Brierley
Keyword(s):  
Capillary Rise ◽  
Salt Content ◽  
Septic Systems ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Anisotropic Flow ◽  
Hydraulic Gradients ◽  
Total Salt Content ◽  
Pedogenic Processes ◽  
Capillary Movement ◽  
Zonal Soils

Miller, J. J. and Brierley, J. A. 2011. Solonetzic soils of Canada: Genesis, distribution, and classification. Can. J. Soil Sci. 91: 889–902. Soils of the Solonetzic order are defined as having a Solonetzic B horizon designated as a Bn or Bnt horizon. The Solonetzic Order includes four great groups: Solonetz, Solodized Solonetz, Solod, and Vertic Solonetz. Solonetzic soils are thought to develop via the stepwise pedogenic processes of salinization, solonization (desalinzation and alkalization), and solodization. Soluble salts are brought into the soil pedon of Solonetzic soils by capillary movement and evaporation from spring to fall, and upward water flow from the water table to the freezing zone in the winter deposits salts upon freezing. Solonization proceeds when desalinization lowers the total salt content and alkalization is initiated by high exchangeable Na. Solodization occurs when anisotropic flow conditions or a change in vertical hydraulic gradients prevent capillary rise and replenishment of soluble Na in the Bn horizon. Two common Solonetzic catenas are found in the prairies. In the first sequence, Gleyed Solonetz or Solonetz occur in the depressional areas of the landscape, and soils then grade through Solodized Solonetz, Solods, and in some cases, Chernozems or normal zonal soils at higher elevations. In the second sequence, Solods are found in the lowest topographic position, while Solodized Solonetz, Solonetz and Chernozems are found at progressively higher slope positions. Solonetzic soils have unique properties that adversely affect their use for agriculture and other land uses (e.g., construction, septic systems). Further interdisciplinary research is required to better understand the genesis of these soils at the “meter scale” or local landscape level because of the extreme spatial variability of these soils.

scholarly journals Impact Assessment and Management Challenges of Key Rural Human Health Infrastructure Under Sea Level Rise

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly Mitchell ◽  
Robert E. Isdell ◽  
Julie Herman ◽  
Christine Tombleson
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Critical Infrastructure ◽  
Septic Systems ◽  
Health Infrastructure ◽  
Wide Scale ◽  
Economic Assets

Accelerating sea level rise in Virginia, United States, will significantly increase the flooding threat to low-lying roads, residences, and critical infrastructure as well as raise the water table, allowing saltwater intrusion into well water and threatening the function of septic fields. Although most of the adaptation work in Virginia has focused on urban economic centers, the majority of the coastline is rural and faces different threats and opportunities to address them compared to urban areas due to their reduced economic assets and their reliance on private infrastructure. In this case study, we assess the potential for geospatially quantifying impact to septic systems and adjacent water ways due to sea level rise. The case study found that the data necessary to reliably quantify these impacts on a state-wide scale are lacking and collection of that information needs to be prioritized given the potential for extensive sea level impacts.

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