The Spatial Relationship Between Septic System Failure and Environmental Factors in Washington Township, Marion County, Indiana

Underground septic systems thrive or fail based on the relationship with their local environment. This paper explores ways environmental variables such as soil type, tree roots, degree of slope, and impervious surfaces affect on-site wastewater treatment systems. It also discusses the effects each of these variables may have on a septic system, and the resulting impact a compromised system may have on the surrounding environment. This research focuses on an approximately 20 square mile area of central Washington Township in Marion County, Indiana. This area of central Indiana contains a large septic system owning population in a sampling of different environments such as wooded areas, hilly areas, and a variety of different soil types.

Author dc:creator

• Hanson, Brian L.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Johnson, Daniel P.

• septic system
• septic failure
• soil type
• tree roots
• slope
• degree of slope
• impervious surfaces
• environment
• environmental variables
• environmental factors
• on-site wastewater treatment system
• Washington Township
• Marion County
• Broad Ripple
• LiDAR
• Tree Canopy
• soil
• processed soil
• Miami
• Crosby
• Brookston
• Genesee
• Hennepin
• flood plain
• outwash
• glacial till
• parcel
• property parcel
• septic tank
• effluent
• drain field
• biomat
• percolation
• drainage
• water table
• sewage
• run-off
• pollution
• nutrient pollution
• nitrogen
• phosphorus
• body of water
• home owner

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 United States

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/us/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

http://dx.doi.org/10.7912/C2/795

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.indianapolis.iu.edu:1805/19510