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Mar 20, 2025

Dog rescued from unused septic tank in Louisville

PRP firefighters rescued a dog from a pit where a homeowner's septic tank lies. PRP firefighters rescued a dog from a pit where a homeowner's septic tank lies. PRP firefighters rescued a dog from a

PRP firefighters rescued a dog from a pit where a homeowner's septic tank lies.

PRP firefighters rescued a dog from a pit where a homeowner's septic tank lies.

PRP firefighters rescued a dog from a pit where a homeowner's septic tank lies.

A recent incident in Jefferson County has highlighted the hidden dangers of unused septic tanks in residential areas, particularly in older homes that have transitioned to public sewer systems.

Fire officials and septic service experts are urging homeowners to take proactive measures to avoid potential accidents.

Deputy Chief Joseph Bowman of the PRP Fire District shared details about a recent rescue operation on Rockford Lane. A homeowner called for help after her dog fell into an old, unused septic tank on her property. Fortunately, the rescue was successful.

"This is not the first incident of this happening out here," Bowman said. "Several years ago, we actually had a human that had fallen into a pit. Did not turn out so well."

The dangers of these unused tanks are not new. Bowman recalled a tragic incident from 10 years ago when a woman died after falling into a deteriorated septic tank at a home on Sun Valley Road. He emphasized that these tanks, if not properly decommissioned, can become safety hazards over time.

"There's no way to know about it if it's not filled in properly," Bowman said.

Homeowners are being advised to have their properties inspected, especially if their homes were built in the 1960s or 1970s. Many of these homes originally relied on septic systems before transitioning to public sewer lines.

"A lot of times if people have been transitioned to sewer, they don't realize that at one point there may have been a septic tank on the property," Bowman explained.

Casey French, CEO of Supreme Septic Services, outlined the steps contractors take to safely decommission unused septic tanks.

"It'll be crushed and then we'll backfill it with gravel, sand, all those things to make sure that there's nothing that somebody could just walk across and just drop," French said.

She added that contractors can locate and assess old tanks even if homeowners are unaware of their presence.

Bowman stressed the importance of addressing these issues, regardless of the cost.

"You don't want to take that risk of potentially falling in yourself. Right? Because it could be fatal, and so it's worth the price to have that done correctly," he said.

PRP fire officials also cautioned against attempting to rescue pets or individuals who have fallen into a pit. Instead, they recommend calling 911 immediately for professional assistance.

As aging septic tanks continue to pose risks, experts are urging homeowners to take preventative measures to ensure the safety of their families and pets.