Which type of sewage disposal design will not be approved by the local health officer?

Cesspools are generally considered outdated and environmentally unsound for sewage disposal. They essentially act as underground pits that collect wastewater without any treatment or filtering process. This design allows for the potential contamination of groundwater and can pose serious public health risks, which is why local health officers typically do not approve them.

In contrast, seepage pits, septic tanks, and drain fields incorporate some level of treatment and dispersal of wastewater. Seepage pits allow liquid waste to seep into the surrounding soil; septic tanks treat wastewater by separating solids and promoting anaerobic digestion; furthermore, drain fields, or leach fields, distribute treated effluent into the soil, allowing for further filtration and absorption.

By understanding the differences in these sewage disposal systems, it becomes clear why cesspools are not permissible according to current health standards while other options offer more responsible and environmentally friendly solutions.