MODELING THE FATE AND TRANSPORT OF HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS IN SEPTIC SYSTEMS

A mathematical model was developed for the purpose of predicting the f ate and transport of down-the-drain household chemicals in septic syst ems, The model was tested with field data collected from a typical sep tic system located near Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, Model simulations were in good agreement with field data for the laundry detergent build ers tartrate monosuccinate (TMS) and tartrate dissuccinate (TDS), The model was also independently verified with phosphate data collected fr om the study site, A sensitivity analysis showed little change in mode l predictions when the distribution coefficient and biodegradation rat e constants were varied by 10%. Results from this study support that t his model is satisfactory as a screening level tool for predicting the fate and transport of household chemicals in septic systems.