A Septic System Inspection Should Be On Your To Do List

Freedom—May 13, 2026—Licensed septic specialist Seth Turner will speak at this Saturday’s Friends of Ossipee Lake Workshop at Camp Calumet’s Johnson Hall.

Turner owns Turner Septic Services in Conway. Two years ago he conducted a septic system inspection event at the Danforth Pond home of Kathy Lalumiere, one of the founders of the Friends of Danforth Ponds.

The event was part of the Danforth group’s public outreach that year to highlight what property owners can do to protect the lake and drinking water by properly designing and maintaining their septic system.

The Friends of Danforth Pond hosted the inspection demonstration. With help from an EPA grant they created a brochure and offered financial rebates to property owners for routine septic system maintenance, including inspections.

Green Mountain Conservation Group, another participant, used its website to spread the word beyond homeowners on the twin ponds, which are part of the Ossipee Lake system.

Research by Freedom Conservation Commission provided the impetus for the initiative, according to property owner Lalumiere.

“The Commission found that just 11 of Danforth Pond’s waterfront properties had septic systems installed in the past 30 years,” Lalumiere said. “That told us there was a need to take action.”

Most property owners don’t think about their septic system until they are planning to sell their property. But catching a malfunctioning system in advance of a failure can prevent the release of excessive nutrients, bacteria, viruses and chemicals into groundwater and the lake, where it can abet cyanobacteria and worse.

“Knowing where your septic system and tanks are located is an important start to the process,” Lalumiere said, adding that it is a best practice to have your system inspected for leaks and structural issues every three years.

Lalumiere said she recommended Seth Turner to Friends of Ossipee Lake President Gloria Villari.

“I thought Seth would be a great addition to this weekend’s workshop agenda since participating in the NH LAKES “LakeSmart” program requires proof that a homeowner’s septic system is functioning properly.”

NH LAKES will be represented at the workshop by Kat Kelleher, who will discuss the LakeSmart program. Other speakers will focus on loon protection and the importance of long-term water quality monitoring.

The workshop event starts at 12:30 p.m. and includes refreshments. Camp Calumet’s Johnson Hall is at 1090 Ossipee Lake Rd. in Freedom. Look for the parking signs, or park at the Calumet Conference Center.