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In American Samoa, cesspools are commonly--but
incorrectly--called "septic" systems.
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As shown in drawings below from ASPA (American
Samoa Power Authority), cesspools are essentially a bottomless concrete
box --cesspools are not septic systems! (Septic systems have bottoms and
lateral/field lines).
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The manure and wash-water that goes into
a cesspool percolates down through the ground and into the groundwater.
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Cesspools have been used for many years in
American Samoa for managing human residential waste.
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Cesspools are widely used for piggeries on
the Tafuna coastal plain and in many of the valleys.
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After ASPA finishes expanding its sewer system
on Tutuila, cesspools will no longer be needed for most human residences.
However, there are no plans at this time to eliminate the use of cesspools
for piggery manure.