How TO Identifying the Boundaries of a Septic Field / Septic System?

Question

Have a electrical utility coming out to a commercial property. They asked me to mark where the septic system and lines are so they don't cut through them with their trenching tool. Any idea of how to identify where these are? To answer your first questions there are no master engineering drawings on this property.

Answer 1

Look for the vent pipe in the ground, tank should be right after that.You can open the mushroom cap and see the direction the pipe runs in most cases. But I'd tell the Utility company if they can't if they can't figure that out dig by hand near the suspected area. PS, you should find the tank lid because that may need pumped out every few years.

Answer 2

Usually you can tell where the laterals run by the green strips of grass over them. If not check with your county health dept. for a map of the system. That kind of info is required by my county health dept. on private and commercial properties. If still no luck, tell the utility co. to bore under any suspected septic system or repair what they damage trenching. No exceptions! Unless you septic system is illegally in their right-of-way I believe they're responsible.