For homeowners in New Jersey, septic system maintenance should be as much a part of normal home maintenance as raking leaves in the fall. Unfortunately, while it is obvious when your lawn needs a cleanup, it’s much easier to forget about septic tank pumping. As a result, not all NJ septic system owners have their tank pumped as often as they should. Unlike other household tasks, if septic service is neglected there can be serious repercussions, especially for those who also have well water on their property.

The disaster in the Gulf reminds us of how water quality affects us all. Here are some things you can do to help keep harmful pollutants from entering our waterways.

In 2005 Rwanda received the Ashden Award for its pioneering work and practical solution to the age old problem of disposing of human waste.