In a startling incident, Donna Kane fell into an old septic tank while staining her deck at her farmhouse in Rolla, British Columbia. The accident occurred on a windy April afternoon when the ground beneath her suddenly collapsed. Kane, who has lived on the property for nearly 18 years, found herself submerged in icy water that filled the six-by-12-by-seven-foot tank. Fortunately, the water was no longer contaminated with waste, but it was deep enough that she struggled to keep her head above water.

"I was able to sort of reach up and hang on to the top of the earth and scream my head off," Kane recounted in an interview. Her husband, Wayne Sawchuk, was inside the house and initially did not hear her cries for help due to the wind and the radio. After about 20 minutes, he finally came outside to investigate when he sensed something was wrong.

Inside the tank, Kane managed to grab a nearby chair leg, which she used as a makeshift support until her husband arrived to rescue her. After the incident, Kane reflected on how they had noticed a depression in the ground over the years but had not thought much of it. She is now sharing her experience to alert others about potential hazards on their properties, especially in light of the current drought conditions in the area.

Luis Goncalves, a registered onsite wastewater practitioner, emphasized the importance of knowing what lies beneath the ground when purchasing rural properties. He noted that septic tanks should be disclosed during property transactions. "It's unusual that a homeowner wouldn't know about a septic tank on their property," he said. Goncalves advised prospective homeowners to consult their local health authority for information about underground systems.

The drought, currently at Level 4 in the region, has raised concerns about soil stability. Kane described the soil around her home as being unusually dry, stating, "The clay always holds together really well. But now it's like popcorn." Soil scientist Diogo Spinola explained that clay soil, which is typically moist, can shrink and crack during dry periods, leading to potential structural damage.

"The impact of drought on clay soils can be quite dramatic," Spinola said. He noted that the small particles in clay help retain water, making it sensitive to changes in moisture. As the soil dries, it becomes hard and dense, which can damage infrastructure such as roads and underground pipes.

Kane's experience serves as a cautionary tale for others living in drought-affected areas. After the incident, she and her husband filled the septic tank with rocks and dirt, and they discovered other buried items on their property. Kane admitted to feeling jittery when walking on uneven ground, acknowledging the close call she had. "Had Wayne not been here, I wouldn't have survived. And it could have been a child or someone who was unable to hang on for as long as I was able to," she said.