What is a likely result of suburban and rural population growth on wastewater systems?

The result of suburban and rural population growth often leads to an increased strain on existing wastewater treatment facilities. As more residents move into these areas, the volume of wastewater generated rises significantly. Many existing treatment systems are designed to handle a specific capacity, and when that capacity is exceeded due to population growth, the systems can become overwhelmed. This can lead to inadequate treatment of wastewater, potentially resulting in issues such as untreated sewage being released into the environment, which contributes to pollution and public health risks.

Furthermore, the aging infrastructure in many regions may not be equipped to handle the rapid increase in flow, further exacerbating the situation. Therefore, the pressure from heightened demand can result in operational challenges, requiring upgrades or expansions of the wastewater treatment systems to maintain effective treatment and protect environmental and public health.

In contrast, the other options don't accurately reflect the typical outcomes associated with increasing suburban and rural populations. For instance, population growth does not usually lead to a reduction in septic system use but might increase reliance on such systems in areas lacking centralized treatment facilities. Similarly, increased populations often lead to higher levels of pollution rather than the elimination of pollution sources, and while some improvements to local water bodies can occur through better management practices, these are not the likely direct outcomes of population