Why is the use of a cesspool prohibited?

The prohibition of cesspools primarily stems from their significant potential for groundwater contamination. Cesspools are essentially deep, underground pits designed to receive and store wastewater. While they allow some degree of infiltration into the surrounding soil, they lack the necessary filtration capabilities and structural integrity of more advanced septic systems. As a result, pathogens, nutrients, and contaminants from the collected wastewater can easily leach into the groundwater. This poses a serious risk to public health and the environment, as contaminated groundwater can affect drinking water supplies and ecosystem integrity.

In contrast, options like collecting rainwater, maintenance costs, and construction complexity are secondary concerns and do not directly address the primary environmental and health risks associated with cesspools. Therefore, the main reason for their prohibition is the high risk of groundwater contamination they present.