Flooding and malfunctioning septic systems are common in Miami neighborhoods, contaminating waterways with untreated sewage.
Sea levels in the South have risen significantly, pushing groundwater higher and compromising septic system functionality.
Miami-Dade County is investing heavily to replace septic systems with municipal sewer connections, a costly and extensive project.
Key quote:
“These are ticking time bombs under the ground that, when they fail, will pollute.”
— Andrew Wunderley, executive director of the nonprofit Charleston Waterkeeper
Why this matters:
Septic systems, which manage waste from homes and businesses not connected to centralized sewer systems, are designed to treat and disperse wastewater safely into the ground. However, with the water table rising due to climate change, these systems are increasingly unable to function properly. When groundwater levels rise, they can inundate the drain fields of septic systems, causing untreated or partially treated sewage to back up into homes or, worse, leach into the environment.
With two-dozen oceanfront septic systems compromised by storms so far this year and spilling on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in Dare County, several have been repaired only to be washed away again.
Waterfront communities from Seeley Lake to Cape Cod are experiencing deep conflict over septic system updates. But if they do nothing, sewage and toxic algae will destroy the waters they cherish.
