A recent editorial at starnewsonline.com, covering New Hanover County, including Wilmington, N.C., sounded a warning about failing septic systems in two neighborhoods and a county commission that voted down a proposal to extend a sewer system into the area at a cost of nearly $17 million.

The article noted evidence of leaking septic tanks in the two neighborhoods and stated that a sewer extension could solve a pollution problem. We hear about situations like this just about every week somewhere in the U.S. Since this is a local issue to be figured out by local health officials, I won’t comment on the push for sewer extensions over repairing private septic systems. But it is just one of many instances pointing to the aging of private onsite systems and the work needing to be done to repair and replace them. 

At the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International last week, I heard from many contractors who are adding or bolstering existing programs to provide routine system inspection service for their customers. This is a proactive trend in the industry that recognizes systems built in the 1960s and ‘70s are coming to the end of their useful life, or are at a point where they at least need to be monitored regularly. Inspections and maintenance will extend the life this expensive system that is vital to the health and well being of users and their neighbors.

Have system inspections become a bigger part of your business? Are homeowners receptive to the message that inspections and maintenance will help their systems function more effectively and for a longer time before replacement?

You can leave your comments below, or send me an email at editor@onsiteinstaller.com