密歇根新闻广播 水资源被污染 密歇根是唯一一个没有管理化粪池的州

When you think about water pollution, you might think about massive sewer¹ overflows², factory pollution or agricultural runoff. But there's another source of water pollution that might be in your backyard: septic systems that have failed.

They pollute lakes and streams around the state – and in fact, around the country.

Sean Hammond, deputy policy director for the Michigan Environmental Council, is calling for better rules for septic systems and inspections³.

"We are the only state in the country to not have a statewide septic code," Hammond said.

That means throughout most of Michigan, no one is inspecting septic systems once they're in the ground. Only 11 counties have any sort of requirement, he said, while the state's 72 other counties have none.

At the same time, the state estimates that septic systems are failing at a rate of ten percent.

When septic systems break, they can cause nutrient⁴ pollution, E. coli and other types of bacteria to find their way into groundwater and other waterways.

This is especially problematic, Hammond said, because about half the state gets its water from groundwater.

"Until we can get a registry and figure out where these septic systems even are, we really don't even know what the true risk is, even though we know it's probably great," Hammond said.

He said House Bills 5732 and 5733 aim to establish a statewide septic code for Michigan.

"Septics are the one place where we are behind the entire nation," Hammond said. "We are the last state to even consider adopting a statewide septic code. Every other state has one. And with our precious water resources, and 50% of our state getting their water from groundwater, we have to move forward on protecting those resources."

For the full conversation, listen above.

1 sewer   

n.排水沟，下水道

参考例句：

• They are tearing up the street to repair a sewer. 他们正挖开马路修下水道。
• The boy kicked a stone into the sewer. 那个男孩把一石子踢进了下水道。

2 overflows   

v.溢出，淹没( overflow的第三人称单数 )；充满；挤满了人；扩展出界，过度延伸

参考例句：

• He always fills his glass till it overflows. 他总是把杯子斟得很满。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• A distributary overflows its banks. 分流水溢出河岸。 来自辞典例句

3 inspections   

n.检查( inspection的名词复数 )；检验；视察；检阅

参考例句：

• Regular inspections are carried out at the prison. 经常有人来视察这座监狱。
• Government inspections ensure a high degree of uniformity in the standard of service. 政府检查确保了在服务标准方面的高度一致。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 nutrient   

adj.营养的，滋养的；n.营养物，营养品

参考例句：

• Magnesium is the nutrient element in plant growth.镁是植物生长的营养要素。
• The roots transmit moisture and nutrient to the trunk and branches.根将水分和养料输送到干和枝。