Septic Tank Disposal - Pollution Effects

  • WASTEWATER CONTAINS NUTRIENT POLLUTION THAT CHANGES MARINE LIMU

    This image shows two samples of the same species of marine limu. The sample on the left is rich in δ15 N nitrogen from processed wastewater, while the one on the right is “natural” limu low in δ15 N nitrogen. Learn more

  • WASTEWATER CONTAINS PATHOGENS THAT CAUSE DISEASE IN MARINE LIFE

    Land-based pollution is a contributor to reef degradation, show here in Ma'alaea, Maui

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  • KIHEI, MAUI, HAS BEEN CALLED A "GROUND ZERO" FOR FIBROPAPILLOMATOSIS

    Fibropapillomatosis is a disease that is caused by a herpes virus and manifests as tumors in turtles. The virus is injected into the environment, and green sea turtles ingest invasive ocean algae, fed by excess nitrogen found in injected wastewater in Kihei, causing the growth of the tumors, a leading cause of death of the endangered species.

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  • INFECTIOUS FISH ULCERS ARE A GLOBAL PHENOMENOM THAT CAN BE TRACED TO POLLUTION SOURCES LIKE INFECTED WASTEWATER

    Learn more by clicking on the resources below:

  • POLLUTION LOADING LEADS TO INFECTIOUS FISH ULCERS BY WAY OF SEVERAL VECTORS

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  • THE CORAL ITSELF IS AFFECTED BY LAND-BASED POLLUTION

    Human sewage identified as likely source of white pox disease of the threatened Caribbean elkhorn coral, Acropora palmata

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Do you know what species live downstream from your flushes in nearshore reef ecosystems?

A large number of unique marine life species live in nearshore ocean waters that are downstream from all disposal methods. Explore these colorful reef species images, learn the scientific name and Hawaiian name for those that have one, and explore a link to more information for each species

See Hawai‘i Reef Species Acanthurus achilles reef species Acanthurus guttatus reef species Acanthurus leucopareius reef species Acanthurus nigrofuscus reef species Acanthurus nigroris reef species Acanthurus olivaceus reef species Acanthurus olivaceus 2 reef species Acanthurus triostegus reef species Actinocyclus verrucosus reef species Ahnfeltiopsis concinna reef species Albula glossodonta reef species Anampses chrysocephalus female reef species Anampses chrysocephalus male reef species Anampses cuvier female reef species Anampses cuvier male reef species Aniculus hopperae reef species Aplysia argus reef species Apogon erythrinus reef species Apolemichthys arcuatus reef species Aprion virescens reef species Arctides regalis reef species Asparagopsis taxiformis reef species Atys semistriatus reef species Aulostomus chinensis reef species Baseodiscus cingulatus reef species Blenniella gibbifrons reef species Bodianus albotaeniatus reef species Bodianus albotaeniatus female reef species Bodianus albotaeniatus male reef species Bodianus sanguineus reef species Boloceroides mcmurrichi reef species Bornetella sphaerica reef species Bryaninops amplus reef species Calappa calappa reef species Callistoctopus ornatus reef species Canthigaster amboinensis reef species Canthigaster epilampra reef species Canthigaster jactator reef species Caranx melampygus reef species Carcharhinus melanopterus reef species Carpilius convexus reef species Caulerpa taxifolia reef species Cellana sandwinchensis reef species Centroceras clavulatum reef species Centropyge loricula reef species Centropyge potteri reef species Ceratosoma tenue reef species Chaetodon auriga reef species Chaetodon fremblii reef species Chaetodon lunula reef species Chaetodon miliaris reef species Chaetodon ornatissimus reef species Chaetodon quadrimaculatus reef species Chaetodon tinkeri reef species Chaetomorpha antennina reef species Chanos chanos reef species Cheilio inermis reef species Chelidonura alisonae reef species Chelidonura hirundinina reef species Chelonia mydas reef species Chlorurus perspicillatus female reef species Chlorurus perspicillatus male reef species Chlorurus perspicillatus reef species Chlorurus spilurus reef species Chromis ovalis reef species Chromis verater reef species Cirrhitops fasciatus reef species Cladophora catenata reef species Cladophoropsis sundanensis reef species Codium edule reef species Codium reediae reef species Coris ballieui reef species Coris flavovittata reef species Coris venusta reef species Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis reef species Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis sub reef species Ctenochaetus strigosus reef species Cyerce elegans reef species Cypraea caputserpentis reef species Cypraea helvola reef species Cypraea lynx reef species Cypraea maculifera reef species Cypraea ostergaardi reef species Cypraea pellucens reef species Cypraea poraria bottom reef species Cypraea poraria top reef species Cypraea talpa 1 reef species Cypraea talpa 2 reef species Cypraea tessellata reef species Cypraea tigris reef species Dascyllus albisella reef species Dasyatis lata reef species Dictyopteris plagiogramma reef species Dictyosphaeria cavernosa reef species Dictyosphaeria versluysii reef species Dictyota sandvicensis reef species Echinothrix diadema reef species Eleotris sandwicensis reef species Enteromorpha prolifera reef species Eretmochelys imbricata reef species Forcipiger flavissimus reef species Forcipiger longirostris reef species Galaxaura rugosa reef species Ganonema papenfussii reef species Genicanthus personatus female reef species Genicanthus personatus male reef species Goniistius vittatus reef species Goniobranchus albopunctatus 1 reef species Goniobranchus albopunctatus 2 reef species Goniobranchus albopustulosus 1 reef species Goniobranchus albopustulosus 2 reef species Goniosupradens erythrodactylus reef species Gracilaria coronopifolia reef species Grateloupia filicina reef species Gymnothorax flavimarginatus reef species Gymnothorax meleagris reef species Gymnothorax steindachneri reef species Halgerda terramtuentis reef species Halimeda discoidea reef species Halymenia formosa reef species Heterocentrotus mamillatus reef species Heterocentrotus mamillatus juv reef species Hexabranchus aureomarginatus reef species Hydatina amplustre reef species Hymenocera picta reef species Iracundus signifer reef species Kuhlia xenura reef species Kyphosus hawaiiensis reef species Kyphosus hawaiiensis yellow morph reef species Kyphosus sandwicensis reef species Labroides phthirophagus reef species Lactoria fornasini reef species Laurencia succisa reef species Liopropoma aurora reef species Lobactis scutaria reef species Macropharyngodon geoffroy female reef species Macropharyngodon geoffroy male reef species Martensia fragilis reef species Megaptera novaeangliae reef species Melanella ima reef species Melichthys niger reef species Microcanthus strigatus reef species Micromelo undata reef species Mobula alfredi reef species Monachus schauinslandi reef species Montipora capitata reef species Mugil cephalus reef species Mulloidichthys flavolineatus reef species Mulloidichthys pfluegeri reef species Mulloidichthys vanicolensis reef species Naso hexacanthus reef species Naso lituratus reef species Naso maculatus reef species Naso unicornis reef species Nostoc commune reef species Octopus cyanea reef species Octopus hawaiiensis reef species Ostracion meleagris male reef species Ostracion meleagris trans reef species Ostracion whitleyi reef species Oxycheilinus unifasciatus reef species Palaemon debilis reef species Panulirus marginatus reef species Paracirrhites arcatus reef species Parupeneus cyclostomus reef species Parupeneus insularis reef species Parupeneus multifasciatus reef species Parupeneus porphyreus reef species Pavona maldivensis reef species Pervagor spilosoma reef species Pocillopora damicornis reef species Pocillopora meandrina reef species Polydactylus sexfilis reef species Porites brighami reef species Porites compressa reef species Porites duerdeni reef species Porites evermanni reef species Porites hawaiiensis reef species Porites lichen reef species Porites lobata reef species Porites monticulosa reef species Porites rus reef species Porites solida reef species Pristiapogon kallopterus reef species Pristiapogon taeniopterus reef species Pseudamiops diaphanes reef species Pseudanthias thompsoni reef species Pseudobiceros reef species Pseudocheilinus octotaenia reef species Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia reef species Pseudosquilla ciliata reef species Pterocladiella capillacea reef species Pterois sphex reef species Pycnochromis hanui reef species Pycnochromis leucurus reef species Pycnochromis pacifica reef species Rhinecanthus rectangulus reef species Rhinopias xenops reef species Rhizopsammia verrilli reef species Sarcothelia edmondsoni reef species Sarcothelia edmondsoni 2 reef species Sargassum echinocarpum reef species Sargocentron xantherythrum reef species Scarus dubius reef species Scarus psittacus reef species Scarus rubroviolaceus female reef species Scarus rubroviolaceus male reef species Scorpaenopsis brevifrons reef species Scorpaenopsis cacopsis reef species Stegastes marginatus reef species Stenella longirostris reef species Stenogobius hawaiiensis reef species Stethojulis balteata reef species Tambja morosa reef species Thalassoma duperrey reef species Thalassoma quinquevittata reef species Thorunna kahuna reef species Thunnus obesus reef species Torquigener randalli reef species Triaenodon obesus reef species Tubastraea coccinea reef species Ulva expansa reef species Ulva fasciata reef species Ulva reticulata reef species Ventricaria ventricosa reef species Zanclus cornutus reef species Zapogon evermanni reef species Zebrasoma flavescens reef species
  • How does Septic Tank's nutrient pollution compare?

    Most recent water quality data nutrient estimates comparison

     Yearly Gallons not reused Effluent Total Nitrogen ConcentrationHAR 11-54 open coastal water quality standard "do not exceed more than 2% of the time" (2014) Total Nitrogen Concentration Effluent Total Nitrogen concentration multiples of open coastal standard Effluent Total Phosphorus ConcentrationHAR 11-54 open coastal water quality standard "do not exceed more than 2% of the time" (2014) Total Phosphorus Concentration Effluent Total Phosphorus concentration multiples of open coastal standard Effluent Total Nutrients Nitrogen + Phosphorus Mass
    DISPOSAL METHODGal/resident/year (mg/L)(mg/L) X multiples (mg/L)(mg/L) X multiples lbs/resident/year
    Kahului WWRF39,452 14.60.35 42 1.150.06 19 5.0
    Kihei WWRF21,782 8.110.35 23 0.560.06 9 1.6
    Lahaina WWRF34,323 7.030.35 20 2.520.06 42 2.0
    Pukalani WWRF1,399 13.10.35 37 0.350.06 6 0.3
    Septic46,631<820.35<234<220.06<367<40.4
    Cesspool46,631<900.35<257<200.06<333<41.2
    Hono Kai37,261 24.40.35 70 2.950.06 49 8.5
    Island Sands37,261 12.90.35 37 4.90.06 82 5.5
    Ka Nai A Nalu37,261 24.60.35 70 4.580.06 76 9.1
    Lauloa37,261 21.60.35 62 3.980.06 66 7.9
    Ma'alaea Banyans37,261 25.50.35 73 5.280.06 88 9.6
    Ma'alaea Kai37,261 11.90.35 34 1.820.06 30 4.3
    Ma'alaea Mermaid37,261 26.90.35 77 3.70.06 62 9.5
    Ma'alaea Yacht37,261 34.50.35 99 3.780.06 63 11.9
    Makani A Kai37,261 10.590.35 30 1.40.06 23 3.7
    Milowai37,261 40.80.35 117 9.750.06 163 15.7
  • How does Septic Tank's fecal coliform compare?

    Most recent water quality data fecal coliform estimates comparison

    DISPOSAL METHODYearly Gallons not reused Effluent coliform Cell Countscoliform EPA freshwater recreation standard Cell Counts (1976) Effluent coliform Cell Counts
     Gal/resident/year MPN/100mL waterMPN/100mL water MPN/resident/year
    Kahului WWRF39,452>2419.6200>3,613,474,518
    Kihei WWRF21,782>2400200>1,978,935,464
    Lahaina WWRF34,323<1200<1,299,264
    Pukalani WWRF1,118<1200<52,955
    Septic37,261<160,000,000200<282,425,012,293,158
    Cesspool37,261<100,000,000200<176,515,632,683,224
    Hono Kai37,261>=1600200>=2,256,761,945
    Island Sands37,261 2200 2,820,952
    Ka Nai A Nalu37,261<2200<2,820,952
    Lauloa37,261 17200 23,978,096
    Ma'alaea Banyans37,261<20200<28,209,524
    Ma'alaea Kai37,261 16,000200 22,567,619,447
    Ma'alaea Mermaid37,261<2200<2,820,952
    Ma'alaea Yacht37,261 4200 5,641,905
    Makani A Kai37,261≧1,600200≧2,256,761,945
    Milowai37,261 17200 23,978,096
  • Pathogenic Life Forms

    Interesting Facts about Injection Pathogenic Life Forms


     

    LIST OF PATHOGENIC (ILLNESS-CAUSING) LIFE FORMS COMMONLY FOUND IN INFECTED WASTEWATER, SUCH AS R-3 INJECTED IN KIHEI AND KAHULUI
     

    The list of pathogenic microbial species commonly found in non-disinfected wastewater is long and alarming, shown in the U.S. NIH list below.

    Respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and skin infections can be caused by water borne pathogens.

    The major pathogens of concern in municipal wastewater and diseases or illness associated with them:

    Name of pathogenMajor disease or symptoms
    Bacteria 
    Campylobacter jejuniGastroenteritis
    Escherichia coliGastroenteritis
    Salmonella spp.Salmonellosis, typhoid, paratyphoid
    Shigella spp.Bacillary dysentery
    StaphylococcusSkin Infections, bacteremia, toxic shock syndrome, septic arthritis
    StreptococcusCellulitis, Pink eye, meningitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, necrotizing fasciitis
    Vibrio choleraeCholera
    Yersinia spp.Gastroenteritis
      
    Viruses 
    AdenovirusUpper respiratory infection and gastroenteritis
    AstrovirusGastroenteritis
    Coxsackie virusMeningitis, pneumonia, fever
    EchovirusMeningitis, paralysis, encephalitis, fever
    Hepatitis virusInfectious hepatitis, miscarriage, and death
    Human calicivirusEpidemic gastroenteritis with severe diarrhea
    Polio virusPoliomyelitis
    ReovirusRespiratory infections, gastroenteritis
    RotavirusAcute gastroenteritis with severe diarrhea
    TT hepatitisHepatitis
    COVID-19Acute respiratory illness
      
    Protozoa 
    Balantidium coliBalantidiasis
    Cryptosporidium spp.Cryptosporidiosis
    Entamoeba histolyticaAcute amoebic dysentery
    Giardia duodenalisGiardiasis
    Toxoplasma gondiiToxoplasmosis
      
    Helminths 
    Ascaris lumbricoidesAscariosis
    Ascaris suumCoughing and chest pain
    Hymenolepis nanaHymenolepiasis
    Necator americanusHookworm disease
    Taenia saginataInsomnia, anorexia
    Taenia soliumInsomnia, anorexia
    Toxocara canisFever, abdominal pain, muscle ache
    Trichuris trichiuraDiarrhea, anemia, weight loss


     

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