September 21-25 marks the third annual SepticSmart Week, an awareness event supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). SepticSmart Week outreach activities encourage homeowners and communities to care for and maintain their septic systems.

Nearly one-fifth of all American households depend on septic systems to treat their wastewater. Failure to maintain a septic system can lead to failures resulting in costly repairs, well contamination, polluted local waterways, and risks to public health and the environment.

During SepticSmart Week, EPA seeks to inform homeowners on proper septic system care and maintenance, assist local agencies in promoting homeowner education and awareness, and educate local decision makers about the infrastructure options available to improve and sustain their communities.

Education and marketing resources are available in EPA’s SepticSmart Toolkit to support local health departments in their efforts to bring community attention to septic system safety and water quality.