Spatial, Temporal, and Economic Drivers of Septic System Maintenance in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia

Explore a 14-minute conference talk from the Georgia Water Resources Conference examining the maintenance patterns of septic systems in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. Learn about the critical factors affecting onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) that serve nearly half of Georgia's population. Discover how environmental, temporal, and socio-economic parameters influence septic system maintenance and performance across the landscape. Gain insights into the challenges of voluntary participation in system maintenance, the potential barriers faced by low-income populations, and the implications for water quality and public health. Understand the research methodology used to analyze county-level pumping records, assess system failures, and correlate watershed-level metrics with stream water quality. Examine how this analysis can help municipal decision-makers develop equitable infrastructure investments and policies for wastewater treatment, particularly important as the Southeast U.S. experiences rapid domestic migration and suburban growth.