The majority of Monroe County has soils that are not suitable to absorb septic discharge. The four Boroughs provide central sewerage treatment, while in the majority of Townships, individual residential septic tanks are used. Sometimes these are constructed above grade on "sand mounds" because of inappropriate soil conditions. Several Townships have plans for upgrading their capacities with new sewage treatment plants. These areas are shown in 'Existing and Planned Sewer Service.'
If development continues to outpace infrastructure investments, the absorption capacities of the soil may eventually be exceeded, resulting in contaminated subterranean aquifers. This should be of great concern because, as stated earlier, most of the drinking water consumed in Monroe County comes from underground wells.
New development should be linked either to a central sewer system or to an alternative technology system. In general, central sewers, like those in Mount Pocono and Stroudsburg, can process large amounts of waste water quickly and efficiently. These systems do, however, require a large capital outlay for pipes and a treatment facility, and subsequently require professional staff. Alternative technology systems which use artificial greenhouses and constructed wetlands are less expensive to install, but they require more time to process waste water, and cannot normally handle commercial and industrial discharge. In preparing the Alternative Futures, sewer service was considered to be a major factor in shaping the future of Monroe County.
Diagram of a typical septic system.
Example of alternative technology sewer system.