Southeast Georgia has experienced a lot of rain during the past several weeks, which could cause an increase in public-health-related issues, such as mosquito breeding and septic-system failure. Coastal Health District officials recommend that residents take precautions to minimize potential problems.

Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are a nuisance and they transmit disease. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, which is why it is important to inspect and empty containers such as buckets, flower pots, gutters, bird baths, tarps and wading pools, which can hold water after rain and become a potential mosquito breeding ground.

Septic systems
It’s possible that heavy rain can cause a septic system to malfunction due to saturation of the soil in and around drain fields. It is always important for residents using septic systems to conserve water usage. Some helpful tips include repairing dripping faucets and leaking toilets, running the dishwashers only when it’s full and replacing  old fixtures with water-saving fixtures.
“Rain definitely has its uses, but when we get a lot of it over a short period of time, it can also cause problems,” Coastal Health District Health Director Dr. Diane Weems said. “We want to make sure that residents in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long and McIntosh counties are doing everything they can to avoid those problems.”