The residents of Lakeland, FL (Highland Ln) are in urgent need of a comprehensive city sewer system. Currently, many homes rely on outdated septic systems that pose health risks, environmental hazards and increased costs for repair/maintenance. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), failing septic systems can contaminate local water sources with harmful bacteria and nutrients. A modern city sewer system would improve public health and also enhance property values. Please sign this petition to urge the city council to prioritize the installation of a city sewer system for the well-being of all Lakeland residents on Highland Ln.

This is one less thing to service in your home. The local government handles the wastewater treatment on a shared sewer system. They have the the funds and expertise to ensure that the wastewater is treated properly and homeowners don’t need to worry about it. With septic tanks they need to be maintained and well kept in order to keep the value of your property in tact. The homeowner needs to ensure the tank and pipes are in good working order.

Septic systems don't handle rain and storm well. Sewer system are designed to withstand periods of heavy rain and storm that could potentially overwhelm a smaller, failing or un-maintained septic tank.
Freedom to plant trees anywhere in your backyard. With septic tanks; heavily rooted plants on or near the area of the soil where the tank is situated will damage the drain pipes in the long run. When plant make sure to plant far enough away from your septic tank. If you have existing plants with deep roots or potential for them to have deep roots you may want to consider having these plants or trees removed. There can be issues with plants interfering with sewer lines as well and if they are common city property the city will help with this expenditure. 

Fast flowing drains. With sewers there generally isn’t a problem with slow drains. However, with septic tanks sewage backup happens. This means there is a clog somewhere in the tank or drain pipes. When this happens it’s generally a more serious problem that can’t be fixed with Draino. You’ll need a plumber to inspect your tank.
No need to fuss with your water fixtures. If you toilet, shower or washing machine requires more water to do their job until they’re replaced with a newer version that’s okay. If you need to do various large loads of laundry in one day, go ahead. The sewer pipes can handle the pressure of the water and the excess water flow, septic tanks can’t. Your septic tank may be burden with this excess amount of water.

The sewage carries pathogens and other dangerous contaminants. Exposure to these pathogens and contaminants can make people and animals sick. They can also contaminate water sources and make them unsafe for drinking, swimming, shellfish harvesting, and agricultural uses.

In addition, having a septic tank is a nasty job to upkeep. In my case, the filter has to be cleaned out quarterly and the lid has to be sealed back up with concrete. When the filter is clogged, the contaminated liquid won't drain properly into the drain field system, and as such, we get all of that contaminated sewage seeping from the septic tank and surfacing on the lawn, causing environmental hazard and health risks, not to mention the odor.

You can read more about the adverse effects of having a septic tank system from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) -- here.

Do septic systems impact water quality? In general, a properly installed, sited and maintained septic system should not adversely affect water quality. In some cases, the design may require advanced treatment to reduce the wastewater strength, impacts of nitrogen contamination, or include disinfection when there are properties in close proximity to surface waters.
If the system is failing or is an older system that is discharging directly into the groundwater, the wastewater is not treated to reduce pathogens or nutrient levels. If this discharge is in close proximity to a water body, it may negatively impact water quality.
Examples of these impacts may include: Groundwater contamination with pathogens, chemicals or nutrients that affect drinking water wells.
Surface waters can be contaminated with pathogens, such as E. coli, chemicals, and nutrients including nitrogen and phosphorus. Pathogens can cause illnesses for recreational swimming areas, even requiring beach closures and hazards to humans and pets. Excess nitrogen and/or phosphorus can cause an overgrowth of blue-green algae or cyanobacteria in a short period of time, triggering algae blooms. The overgrowth of algae consumes oxygen and blocks sunlight from underwater plants. When the algae eventually die, the oxygen in the water is consumed. This can cause fish and other aquatic organisms to die and create regional “dead zones.”
Coastal waters are more sensitive to nitrogen contamination from failing septic systems.
Freshwater rivers, lakes, and ponds are more sensitive to phosphorus contamination from failing septic systems.
The cumulative impact of failing septic systems that are in close proximity to each other and to a water body in environmentally sensitive areas may need to be addressed at the regional or watershed level.
For more information and outreach tools, EPA's Nutrient Pollution Outreach and Education Materials offers various tools and publications to develop effective communications materials related to nutrient pollution.
Can failing septic systems affect human health? A failing septic system likely discharges untreated wastewater, which contains pathogens (e.g., E. coli), nutrients and other harmful substances directly into the groundwater or onto the ground and into surface waters.
Surfacing untreated wastewater from a failed drainfield is a direct public health hazard to anyone exposed to it. Children and pets can unknowingly be exposed to this hazard which can cause illness. If you or others have been exposed to untreated wastewater, contact your health professional.
Straight pipes can discharge untreated wastewater directly into ditches, streams and other water bodies causing a direct public health hazard and also a regional public health hazard to anyone who comes into contact with the untreated wastewater.
Drinking water from groundwater wells and from surface water sources can be contaminated by untreated wastewater and require filtration and disinfection to remain potable. Check with your local health department about having your water tested.
Excess nitrogen contamination in surface or groundwater supplies can impact drinking water systems requiring special treatment.
Chemicals that may be discharged into septic systems can negatively impact water quality and public health in both groundwater and surface water sources, even in very small amounts.
EPA’s Quick Tip Video explains how regular water quality testing can protect and safeguard your family’s health, “Keep It Clean!”

Please replace our residential septic system with City Sewer for a safer and healthier life. Thank you.