Standing Water and Drain Fields

• The design of a septic drain field requires unencumbered movement of wastewater throughout the entire system so that the drain field can drain water as quickly as is needed to meet the water use demands of your family. Therefore, if anything blocks the flow of water through the system, more water will build up in the drain field than the drain field is capable of disposing. Unable to move through the soil, the wastewater typically backs up inside the drain field pipes and floods the surrounding area, including the distribution box and the soil above and around the drain field.
  
  

Possible Causes

• Identifying drain field failure is relatively easy compared with trying to pinpoint the cause of the failure, since so many different things can cause drain field failure. A probable leading cause is a failure to pump the septic tank on a regular basis. Other causes include growing trees or deep-rooted plants over the top of the drain field, using a garbage disposal or discarding items such as cooking fats and coffee grounds down the sink or toilet.
  
  

What to Do

• The first and most important step when you notice that your drain field has failed is to call a plumber or septic maintenance professional. Septic problems can easily worsen due to improper maintenance, so always consult a professional unless you are experienced in septic system maintenance. Often a simple emptying of the septic tank will resolve the issue. If tree roots have fractured your septic drain field pipes, you will likely need to remove the tree and replant it away from the drain field.
  
  

Preventing Future Problems

• Having your septic tank emptied every seven to ten years is the simplest way of avoiding drain field failure (larger systems serving larger households may require more frequent drainage). Never plant trees or deep-rooted plants over the top of your drain field, only grasses and shallow-rooted plants. Additionally, never park cars over the top of the drain field. Never dispose of fats, oils or coffee grounds down the sink drain and limit water use during peak hours to help avoid system overload.