Rising Seas Threaten Georgia's Coastal Septic Systems

Country:

United states

Author:

Emily Jones
Grantee

A properly functioning septic system has plenty of soil between the tank and the groundwater to ensure filtration. Image courtesy of UGA Carl Vinson Institute.

English

Rising seas pose a serious threat to septic and sewer systems, putting our water at risk of...

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Rising water levels encroach on the soil that's essential for filtering water from septic tanks before it reaches the groundwater. Image courtesy of UGA Carl Vinson Institute.

A properly functioning septic system has plenty of soil between the tank and the groundwater to ensure filtration. Image courtesy of UGA Carl Vinson Institute.

By the end of the century, sea levels off the Georgia coast are expected to rise anywhere from one to eight feet. Climate change is also predicted to pose other threats to Georgia communities including more violent hurricanes and heavier rainfall. A lesser-known potential problem affects septic systems.

GPB and the Savannah Morning News are investigating that issue thanks to a grant from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. GPB’s Emily Jones is spearheading the project and spoke with Rickey Bevington about it.

Emily’s project with Mary Landers of the Savannah Morning News is part of the Pulitzer Center's nationwide Connected Coastlines reporting initiative.