The health dept. is evaluating/testing ALL septic tanks in the county. They want to be sure they are not dumping inappropriate waste into nearby streams and properly function. The health dept guy wants me to show him where the "effuent pipe" or distal most terminal/run-off pipe is "after" the septic bed. He wants to collect a sample of the water from that point. The system is 18 years old and trouble-free. I am not the original owner I live in a woods that includes heavy brush. I can't locate this point. There was a diagram drawn in the records but no measurements. I have been studying the ground and pushing a steel rod into the ground. for two weeks. I have dug up a couple of indentations and what might seem like soft spots. I even tried "brass rods" to see if they will cross. I am running water (with a hose) in the bed system (after the tanks) to see if I can find a wet area. How am I going to locate this ...any ideas ??? Thanking you in advance!
2007-10-06 07:01:34 · 4 answers · asked by Steve 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If there is a weeping bed involved here, look for the greenest grass growing in a straight line while the other grass surrounding it is just sort of dull or brown, depending on the amount of rainfall your area has had.
You may have to call on a friend who can" witch water" with no problem If those suggestions do not work, would it not be up to the county to find what they are looking for?? if not...then I guess it will be time for you to hire a drainage expert, he should be able to find the spot.
2007-10-06 07:12:03 · answer #1 · answered by wahoo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure there is "effluent pipe" after the septic bed. I assume you have a system with a leach field. To the best of my knowledge, those type don't have any outlet after the leach field.
I would talk with some of the local contractors who do septic system repair and installation and see if they have any information about local practices regarding a "effluent pipe"
2007-10-06 08:49:38 · answer #2 · answered by oil field trash 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the county is doing a study or evaluation, tell him to bring his own equipment and leave everything the way it was when he leaves, that's not your job, that's his, he's getting paid to do it. Don't let him give you a bunch of crap like they like to do.
You tell him you have no idea where any of this is, if he wants to do an evaluation, he has to use a dye or find it himself, tell him your busy but, to leave everything the way he finds it, tell him you took pictures of it and have notified your attorney. They can't do this and make you responsible.
They tried this on the lake where we lived, they came in like "gang busters" and insisted on tossing dyes and everything else in our septics. I stopped them, I told them I want written proof this won't stop the action of the tank, it's harmless, etc.
They were pretty upset but, they complied. When they started looking for dye in the lake, I told them not to because my tank was behind my house, I could have told them that before they started.
2007-10-06 23:24:32 · answer #3 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if the county wants to know where it is, let him borrow your shovel..... make him bring his own shovel. unless you are the contractor that put it in, he cant make you find anything.
2007-10-06 08:07:12 · answer #4 · answered by trekkie706 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋