On Monday evening, customers of Great Falls Center were greeted with a familiar occurrence, the smell of a failing septic field. This time though, the impact was visual as well, as the field displayed extensive overflow at the access risers.

A representative from the septic company that services the shopping center, which is managed by Saul Centers Inc., had covered one of the risers with a heavy plastic drop cloth, weighted with stones, to help contain the worst of the fumes. He explained that the immediate treatment was to spread a load of lime, as soon as they can obtain enough to be effective, then replace the pumps, which appeared to have failed. He emphasized that replacing the pumps was a stop-gap measure, and that the long term solution to future septic emergencies was a new system that would utilize newer private sewage treatment technology, as the existing field is old and may be played out.

Update: Fairfax County’s Health Service has inspected the property following cleanup by the septic company and observed that no exposed sewage was present. The septic tank and pump chamber had been pumped out, and the company returned the next day to commence an evaluation of the existing system. The County has indicated that it will continue to monitor the site.