How does improper septic system maintenance affect the environment?

Improper septic system maintenance can lead to significant environmental issues, particularly through soil and water contamination. When a septic system is not functioning correctly, it may allow harmful bacteria, pathogens, and nutrients to escape into the surrounding soil and groundwater. This can contaminate drinking water supplies and local water bodies, leading to serious health risks for humans and wildlife.

Contaminated water can promote the growth of harmful algal blooms, which can further disrupt aquatic ecosystems, harm fish populations, and affect recreational water activities. Moreover, the presence of excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, can lead to eutrophication, an over-enrichment of water bodies, resulting in degraded water quality and the death of aquatic life due to oxygen depletion.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately reflect the consequences of poor septic maintenance. Recycling water and promoting healthy plant growth are typically outcomes of well-maintained systems that properly treat wastewater and return valuable resources to the environment. Additionally, while correctly functioning septic systems can contribute nutrients beneficial to soil and plant health, improper maintenance undermines this by introducing pollutants instead. Thus, the negative implications on the environment from insufficient septic care are primarily linked to contamination.