This study will begin in 2008 and focus on creating tools for identifying and remediation of failing or faulty septic tanks. The area covered by the project will be the lower portion of the James River basin, primarily in Stone County, Missouri (see attached map). This area covers an area of approximately 243,971 acres or 381 square miles and eventually drain into Table Rock Lake. 

The James River and James River arm of Table Rock Lake and its tributaries are used frequently for floating, swimming, and fishing for bass, sunfish, and catfish. The topography, geology, and soils in the watershed are typical of the Ozarks.  The Ozarks, including the lower James River watersheds, are well known for their karst geology characterized by numerous sink holes, caves, bedrock fractures and loosing streams. These features allow direct linkages from contaminated surface or sub-surface waters to underlying groundwater without any filtration.

The James River watershed and Table Rock Lake are currently on the Environmental Protection Agency's 303(d) or imperiled list due to excess nutrient pollution. Failing on-site septic systems can be linked to nutrient pollution in surface waters since sewage contains high amounts of nutrients including nitrogen and phosphorus. Populations of counties in the region are increasing very rapidly adding more urban and rural development and more septic waste.

From 1990 to 2005 the population of Stone County increased by over 60% while the average population growth for the entire state during this time was approximately 13%. The vast majority of this new population is moving into rural developments that use on-site septic tank systems to treat wastewater. Many of these systems are failing due to poor installation, lack of filtering soils, or over-saturation due to lack of system capacity. Inadequate maintenance can also cause septic systems to fail by becoming clogged with solids, releasing the liquid waste into the surrounding environment without it being treated.

Project Goals:

The overall goal of this project will be to reduce nutrient pollution of surface waters from septic system failure. A number of failed systems will be selected for remediation based on their proximity to surface waters. This project will also develop an inventory database for compilation of data on existing and future septic systems to help the local health department keep accurate records of septic systems and provide citizens and homeowners with information and assistance to prevent septic problems and protect water quality. Goals include:

1. Create an on-site septic management system for electronic compilation of existing information on septic systems in Stone County. 

3. Identify 15 failing on-site septic systems with proximity to surface waters and remediate/replace these systems.

4. Monitor the water quality before and after to show whether there was an improvement in response to remediation efforts.

5. Educational workshops open to the public on how to prevent and solve septic system problems. 

6. Produce data to support county and regional efforts in effective and feasible wastewater management.

Partners:

  Table Rock Lake Water Quality, Inc. P.O. Box 606 (2 Kissee Avenue) Kimberling City, MO 65686
Phone: 417-739-4100 | Fax: 417-739-9889 | Email: trlwq@lvbw.net