Standing water in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Debby has many area residents concerned about their septic systems.
According to the Bulloch County Health Department, in most circumstances, the only thing to do is wait for the ground to absorb the water while limiting water usage.
"The ground is completely saturated, so we're going to have to give it some time to dry out," shared an employee.
If you notice standing water around your septic system tank or drainfield, they recommend limiting your water use while the ground dries out. This can mean cutting back on laundry, taking shorter showers, limiting running the dishwasher, and reducing any other non-essential water usage that would put additional pressure on the system.
However, if your septic system is backing up into your home and flooding indoor areas, this constitutes an emergency situation and you should contact the Bulloch County Health Department's Environmental Health number: (912) 764-5969.
It may take several weeks for the ground to dry out following this historic rainfall.
If, after the ground has dried out, your septic system continues to have issues, the Health Department encourages you to contact them for guidance or to request a repair permit.
"Until the ground starts drying out, there really aren't solutions that we can recommend outside of emergency situations," a BCHD employee shared. Most septic pump equipment operators and contractors will also insist on waiting until the ground dries in order to limit further damage to equipment and property.
Keep an eye on Bulloch County EMA and the Health Department website for resources and updates.
We have also been in contact with the City of Statesboro regarding potential sewage concerns within the city limits. We will update when we know more.
