Septic tanks can be a nightmare for residents
Letter by Barb White to the Sooke News Mirror September 17, 2003

Editor:

Kudos to Ted Davies for his letter entitled, "Sewer benefits swamp Gardner's neighbours" (News Mirror, Aug. 27). I would like to reinforce his points with my first-hand experience with a costly, septic system nightmare.

We moved into our current residence on Talc Place, in Broom Hill, 14 years ago. I spent the next four years working very hard on my yard and garden, when a serious problem arose with our septic system. Having come from Ontario, I had neither heard of septic systems, nor did I have any idea of the devastation and cost if something went wrong. We were told that our entire back yard would have to be dug up, and our system replaced. We were also told that the $13,000 price tag would have to be paid up-front; therefore, we had to re-mortgage our home.

After the installation, there was nothing left in the yard but pipes, pumps and tanks. We could not enjoy the space for many years. Since then, we have encountered further difficulties, including digging up sections of the yard repeatedly to install an extra tank and new pumps, not to mention the frequent drainage costs. Currently, I can only do two loads of laundry a day for a household of six. The costs continue to mount as we have now spent over $15,000 for the privilege of owning a house with a septic system. Every time I walk out my back door to hang up my clothes and smell something foul (which is often), I shudder, wondering if it is coming from my yard or my neighbours.

To those people who have been arguing against the new sewer system, heed my warning. My septic system worked fine at one time too, but then my entire yard had to be dug up at a cost of 10s of 1,000s of dollars. Whether your system works or not, how many of you are prepared to spend $15,000 up front when something inevitably goes wrong? If you own a home with a failing system, your property value plummets and your investment disappears. All Broom Hill residents are in jeopardy of facing a similar fate at some point; therefore, I encourage all residents to vote yes for a new sewer system before you have your own septic nightmare to tell.

[So, who is responsible for the design and installation of faulty septic systems?]