We all saw the damage done by lake and river flooding back in 2017 and 2019. Damage to homes, shoreline erosion and more, but what perhaps wasn’t talked about about was septic systems, wastewater being washed away from land into the water.

It’s a major concern for homeowners in the 1000 Islands region and some are looking at some new technology to keep it from happening again.

ONSITE Engineering owner Eric Murdock is taking a lead on that.

“We’re going to open up and take a look at a septic system we installed,” Murdock said out on the St. Lawrence River.

But Eric knows something many don’t. He’s expecting this septic system to be very clean.

The fact is, islands have never been conducive to septic systems. Dense, wet soil and slopes all lead to back ups and flows which could easily end up in the water.

The major flooding events of 2017 and 2019 only made the problem worse.

“In this particular case, it just washed away the septic system,” he added.

And this island was certainly not alone. Almost all of it, including the waste, went right into the river. So Murdock, installed the new system that decomposes waste and treats the water right in the tank, before any of it gets let out.

“How it works is, is it filters the water. You can actually pump septic tank affluent out of a septic tank. Whereas typically in the past, you’d have to have an isolated, single tank,” he added.

That’s exactly how Eric knows his Fusion Series system is working.

“We went from a septic system that was literally in the river, to a system that is now pre-treating the waste water, disinfecting and dispersing in a location that is eight feet above the water,” he said.

For those that care about not only their property, but the entire region, all 1,800 islands, that’s music to their ears.

Members of the environmental advocacy agency, Save the River, also made the trip to see this system in action, as they work to keep the river clean and healthy.