Is there any way to locate an underground drainfield when there is no indication on the surface?

Question

Also would like to hear creative ways of landscaping around or on top of drainfield. I don't want to plant anything that would interfere with its operation.

Answer 1

If it is a septic system or man made situation, you can try looking for plans for the house that might have been filed with the planning department or permits people or whoever.

Also for septics, they can flush a transmitter down the toilet and then use an aboveground locator to see where it came to rest.

I'm sure there are other imaging techniques<
The main thing to watch for septic tanks is don't crush them. Don't use the area for parking your car or anything heavy.

Drainfields are best served by wise use of the septic system<
Soil permeability is what is good for leachfields. Sand or gravel or any practice that avoids silt build-up is good.

Maybe a healthy worm population is good soil practice<
Here are a couple of garden planning sites. They have preset plans and you can also plan your own in a virtual garden:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/design/virtualgarden_index.shtml

http://www.bhg.com/bhg/gardening/index.jhtml

Answer 2

Have you observed the vegetation around the yard. When I had grass grew much better over it.

If the ground is soft you might probe with a thin rod. If you have an underfloor, perhaps you could find where the sewer pipes leave the house.

If all else fails, you might dig a slit trench parallel with the wall of the house through which the drain might feed. If there is a slope, it is probably on the low side..