How Broken Sewer Lines Harm the Environment

A broken sewer line can lead to slow-draining sinks and clogged toilets in your home. However, sewer damage underground could also allow raw sewage to flow out of your house and into the soil, storm drains, aquifers, waterways, and other parts of the local environment . The environmental impact of a damaged sewer line in Colorado Springs can make repairing the problem all the more necessary. Learning about how sewer line damage affects the environment provides another good reason to hire a sewer inspector and get timely sewer repairs done.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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How Damaged Sewer Lines Can Harm the Environment

Sewer lines are designed to transport wastewater away from homes and businesses. Issues like faulty connections, cracks, corrosion, breaks, and root intrusions can damage the proper flow of wastewater. As a result, sewage may end up leaking before reaching a wastewater treatment facility. Depending on the severity of the issue, environmental contamination can range from minor to severe. Even a minor leak in a single yard could have a long-lasting impact on the soil, water, plants, animals, and nearby properties.

Raw Sewage Can Contaminate Soil and Underground Aquifers

When a sewer line leaks, raw sewage may flow into the surrounding soil. Sewage contains harmful microorganisms and toxic chemicals. It should never seep into the soil. Raw sewage may even penetrate deep into the soil and contaminate underground aquifers. This is especially alarming when contaminated groundwater is tapped by wells, ponds, creeks, or rivers. It is possible for a sewer line to leak for weeks or months before homeowners realize that their property is affected. Signs of a sewage leak include flooded yards, soggy ground, foul odors, and backed-up drains.

Resource: https://www.epa.gov

How Sewage Threatens Local Wildlife and Waterways

When raw sewage leaks into the ground, surface runoff and underground flow can carry it into local lakes, streams, and rivers. This runoff drastically lowers water quality by introducing dangerous toxins and altering pH levels. As a result, aquatic species like fish and amphibians face immediate harm, while land animals, birds, and insects lose access to clean drinking water and food sources, creating a ripple effect that can disrupt the entire local environment.

Reference: merriam-webster.com

Broken Sewer Lines Can Damage Plants and Landscaping

Wastewater that seeps into the ground can damage your lawn, garden, trees, and other vegetation. You may find some areas that are unusually wet or too soggy. Wastewater can also harm plants in other ways. Sometimes a patch of green grass around a broken sewer line will be darker green than usual because of the nutrients in wastewater. Don’t assume that patch is just extra healthy. It could indicate a leaking sewer line if accompanied by other issues such as a foul odor, soggy ground, slow drains, or frequent backups. Sewer gases can pollute the area around a home. A broken sewer system can release gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide into the air around your house. Homeowners usually smell these odors before they realize something is wrong.

Sewer Repair Can Prevent Further Environmental Damage

It can be difficult to tell what’s happening with your sewer line since it’s buried underground. The earlier you address the issue, the less damage there will be to the environment.

If you experience any of the following issues, you may need to have a sewer inspection:

• Recurring drain backups
• Slow drains in multiple locations
• Sewer odors inside or outside your home
• Soggy spots or standing water that you don’t have an explanation for
• Unusually green areas of grass
• Wastewater showing up somewhere it shouldn’t be

Video sewer inspections can identify problems such as cracks, blockages, root intrusions, collapsed pipes, and other damage before repairs are needed.

Schedule Sewer Line Repair in Colorado Springs

Quick repairs can stop wastewater from continuing to escape into the environment. The type of repair you need depends on the extent of the damage. You might need a pipe repair, a full pipe replacement, cleaning, or another service. Contact Spotted Dog Excavating Sewer and Water Repair for sewer line inspections, sewer line repairs, and sewer line replacements in Colorado Springs. If you notice slow drains, sewer odors, backups, soggy ground, or any other indication of a damaged sewer line, schedule a sewer line inspection with Spotted Dog Excavating.