Serving the Underserved: Addressing PFAS and Other Contaminants in Septic Systems and Private Drinking Water Wells

On-site wastewater systems (OWS) are a commonly used in rural areas for treatment and dispersal of wastewater. After installation, OWS are operated and maintained by the home/property owner. Thus, it is the owner's responsibility to evaluate the performance of their OWS, but many people may not have been educated on how to maintain their OWS. Also, many communities that rely of OWS also use private groundwater wells for their drinking water supply. Like with OWS, once a well is installed, it is the responsibility of the well owner to operate and maintain the well. These well owners may not know the need for well maintenance and about pollutants that may contaminate groundwater supplies. Water from private groundwater wells is not tested routinely unless the property owner requests and pays for a sample analysis. These proactive water quality assessments may be cost-prohibitive for impoverished communities, which may contribute to health disparities felt in Eastern North Carolina. This project aims to provide field-based data on the presence and concentrations and traditional and emerging contaminants found in septic systems and groundwater supply wells.

Scholars @ ECU