A report from the United Nations released this week warned that rising sea levels caused by climate change could affect septic systems in America and cause 60 million toilets to stop flushing.

The report suggests that the one in five Americans currently dependent on a septic system could face problems as the rising sea levels could stop septic tank water from being absorbed into the soft earth. The report suggests that as sea levels rise they will saturate previously dry land and cause septic tanks to break and cease functioning.

The report stirred panic from lawmakers and government officials in sea adjacent states the report predicts will be most significantly affected. "Sea level rise is not a registered voter," said Rebeca Sosa, vice chairwoman of the Miami-Dade County Commission in Florida. "It doesn't have a party. It's something that is going to affect everyone. Our job right now is to make sure that we make the state and the federal government understand ... that we need help, so we can help those who are not going to be able to pay to have sewer lines."

Sosa has co-sponsored two pieces of legislation to transition her constituents from septic tanks to municipal sewer systems and commissioned a report on how climate change will be affecting them. Some reports predict that sea levels in Florida could rise as much as one inch every three years.

Florida homes with septic tanks represent 12% of all septic systems in the United States. A Miami-Dade County report suggested that in 25 years, 64% of all septic systems in the area will break or need serious repair. The report also asserted that 1,000 systems are already failing.