Which of the following is a common risk factor for septic tank failure?

Overuse of water is a significant risk factor for septic tank failure because it can overwhelm the system's capacity to treat wastewater effectively. Septic tanks are designed to process a certain volume of wastewater over a given time. When water usage exceeds this designed capacity—often due to activities like excessive laundry, prolonged showers, or running multiple appliances simultaneously—the tank can become overloaded. This can lead to water backing up into the home or surfacing in the yard, indicating that the system is no longer functioning properly.

Additionally, excessive water can lead to issues such as the leaching field becoming saturated. A saturated field cannot adequately filter and treat the effluent, which can cause failure of the disposal system. This issue increases the risk of contaminating ground and surface waters, creating health hazards and environmental problems.

In contrast, proper venting, regular maintenance, and a low water table do not typically contribute to septic tank failure in the same way that overuse of water can. Proper venting is essential for allowing gases to escape and is a normal function of a well-designed system; regular maintenance helps to keep the system in good working order, and a low water table can actually be beneficial for septic systems, as it provides ample space for the effluent to be