With every single year that passes, hundreds of billions of gallons of untreated sewage flow into our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Many Americans and their loved oneschance critical illness when untreated sewage seeps into the water they use for recreation or drinking. The EPA estimates that up to 3. 5 million people fall ill from swimming in waters contaminated by sanitary sewer overflows alone ever year. The range of illnesses brought about by raw sewage could be much higher than we think. Many people that get sick from untreated sewage aren't aware of the cause of their illness and don't report it to their doctors or local health officials. A recent study identified that up to 1. 5 million people get gastroenteritis at beaches in two counties in California each year. If this is the case, the number could be significantly larger.Envirosan septic tank emptying
Most illnesses that arise from contact with sewage are caused by pathogens, which are biological agents that cause disease or illness in a host. The most widespread pathogens in sewage are bacteria, parasites, and viruses. They cause a vast variety of acute illnesses including diarrhea and infections. These illnesses can be crazy and unpleasant, but mostly pass after several days or weeks with no lasting effects. In some cases, pathogens can cause significant long-term illnesses or even death. Certain groups such as children, the elderly, and those with a weakened immune system are particularly vulnerable to these long-term effects. When the parasite in 1993, 403, 000 people became ill and 100 people died, the vast vast majority of whom had been HIV-positive. The illnesses caused by pathogens commonly found in untreated sewage are not to be underestimated.

In inclusion to pathogens, thelarge nutrient levels in untreated sewage can cause illness when they produce algal blooms. Algal blooms are rapid increases in the inhabitants of phytoplankton algae, or single-celled plants that serve as an important food source to other organisms. The nutrients in sewage Work as fertilizers and cause the number of algae to swell. Some algae are toxic to humans who can come in contact with them from eating shellfish or swimming or boating in contaminated water. Symptoms from exposure include memory loss, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, liver failure, respiratory paralysis, and coma. If an affected person does not receive proper medical attention, some toxins can be fatal. This is why sewage treatment plants must be installed through high risk areas, whilst septic tanks and other sewage treatment plant systems can also be considered.