CORRECTIVE ACTION FOR A FAILING SEPTIC SYSTEM

Keep in mind that in some cases corrective measures are not enough and a new or replacement system must be installed. However, there are several options for correcting a septic system failure. They include several do's and don'ts.

DO'S:
• Water conservation: Water conservation can prolong the life of any sewage system. It reduces the amount of water the absorption field must accept, and reduces the flow through the septic tank allowing more time for solids to settle out.
• Add additional trenches to soil absorption field: This increases the capacity of the soil absorption system to accept wastewater.
• Install an alternate soil absorption field: This involves constructing a second soil absorption system and diverting all of the wastewater to it for at least one year to rest the original field. The fields can then be alternated every 6 or 12 months.
• Repair physical damage: Remember that any repair or new installation of a septic system must be approved by the local health department and a permit issued.
• Level the distribution boxes and repair crushed or broken pipe if needed. Tree roots can interfere with the operation of the sewer line to the soil absorption field, as well as the field itself, and should be removed. Solid piping should be replace with new PVC piping.
• Improve surface and subsurface drainage: Divert all surface and groundwater away from the soil absorption field. The soil must absorb all the wastewater from the house; clean surface and groundwater only add to the load. A curtain drain around the area could be beneficial.

DON'TS:
• Don't place more soil over surfacing effluent in an absorption field. This does not fix the system and sewage will soon surface again. Soil Replacement is only required when erosion has occurred.
• Don't pipe the sewage to the road ditch, storm sewer, stream or farm drain tile. This is illegal, pollutes the water and creates a health hazard.
• Don't run the sewage into a sink hole or drainage well. This is illegal and can pollute the groundwater.
• Don't wait for the system to fail before performing proper operation & maintenance, or taking corrective action.

Other Topics:
Sewage Protection Program | Septic Tank Additives Danger in Disguise | Why Systems Fail | Check List for Evaluating Your Septic System | Installation, Repairs & Service Maintenance | General Septic Problems | Health Departments - Friends not Foes | Improve Your System - Practice Water Conservation

Adapted from: Once a system fails it is too late to pump the tank. Agricultural Engineering, Ohio State University Extension, 590 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus Ohio 43210

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