Frequently-asked questions about having trouble with a neighbor's septic system:

This article answers common questions about how to resolve disputes concerning a neighbour's septic tank or drainfields, leaks, failures, odors, or property line encroachments.

This article series offers advice for investigating, diagnosing, and resolving odor, seepage, or well contamination problems that appear to originate on a neighbor's property.

Questions & Answers on Septic Odors, Seepage, Failures, on Neighboring Lands

Recently-posted questions & answers about septic tank or field disputes with neighbors. These questions and replies were posted originally

at NEIGHBORING SEPTIC SYSTEM PROBLEMS. Be sure to review the advice given in that article.

On 2022-08-10 by InspectApedia-911 (mod) - property owner is responsible for providing a septic system for property

@James,

Your lawyer is the best authority to answer your question but my OPINION follows:

- your septic drainfield, by extending its piping into what is a separate legal building lot, would have been in violation of local building or health codes in most jurisdictions around the world (you don't give your location).

- when your septic drainfield is out of compliance, as property owner and as user of the septic system, UNLESS you had a legally-binding document that gave you an easement onto adjoining property, it'd be your expense to make your septic system comply by discontinuing the old encroaching drainfield and building a compliant one.

- furthermore if you were trying to sell your home you'd be in a pickle when your buyer found that the septic system was not on your property: an impediment to even obtaining a mortgage and certainly to the sale.

Bottom line: you as property owner are responsible for providing a septic system for your property.

On 2022-08-10 by James

We bought our house that was built in 1970 in Oct of 2019 the seller split up the 20 acres into 3 parcels. The people who bought the parcel next to us built a house in June if 2021. In the process a bulldozer tore up our septic field lines. The lines did cross the property boundary but they had been there for years! Who should pay for repairs? Myself, the contractor, the dozer operator, my homeowners insurance, the co tractors insurance or the equipment operators insurance?

On 2022-06-12 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Kylie,

You posted and we have replied in detail, moving all of our comments to your Question and our Reply at

https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Septic_Neighbor_Disputes.php

On 2022-06-11 by Kylie

So my landlord didn't tell us when we rented this house that our sewege is being dumped in our back yard. My son and I were playing outside, I turned around and noticed he was stuck in mud. When I got close to him to pull his little feet out I noticed a horrible smell. If it is sewege, is that grounds for me to break the lease and leave????!!! I'm concerned for our health and safety for my child and dog now.

On 2022-05-26 by InspectApedia-911 (mod)

@Jason,

What you describe is a health code violation and health hazard.

Ask your department of health for help.

See details ar

NEIGHBORING SEPTIC SYSTEM PROBLEMS - the home page for this topic

On 2022-05-26 by Jason

I was clearing my property line today and found that my neighbors discharge from her septic tank was running on my land . I can see the discharge pipe at the top of the hill by her house and she has trenched a small ditch for it to run down her yard onto my property . I live in the county in ms so there is no city sewer . How do I make her fix this problem?

On 2022-05-18 by Friedmandaniel911 (mod) - septic failure signs and failure spots

@Anon,

Definitely. See

SEPTIC FAILURE SIGNS - clues indicating a septic failure

and see

SEPTIC FAILURE SPOTS - where the failure signs often appear

On 2022-05-18 by Anon

@Friedmandaniel911, thanks again. All of your knowledge/advice is appreciated. Just so I am looking at the right 'signs' ... Are there signs I should look for that indicate something is wrong with my system?

On 2022-05-18 by Friedmandaniel911 (mod)

@Anon,

I want to be sure we're crystal clear on this point:

IF the septic tank is pumped BEFORE a septic loading and dye test, then that test cannot disclose a failed drainfield (because the empty septic tank holds all of the test water and none is sent out into the drainfield).

So deliberate pumping of the tank before such a test is done either out of ignorance or is, in my opinion and experience, an act of fraud.

That said, I agree that it sounds rather odd that the first property to test is not the ones immediately adjacent to - and presumably draining towards - the property where the failure occurs.

The FIRST property to test is the one where the failure is apparent.

The basis for or motive for that peculiar advice aiming at your property is worth understanding a bit more clearly.

That's a separate (and odd) issue from that of your own need to know that your septic system isn't working properly.

On 2022-05-18 by Anon

@Friedmandaniel911, thank you for the reply. When we were in contract to purchase the house the realtors (both sides) said we should pump the system, that it is the norm to do so when a new owner buys. After the system was pumped then the interior of the tank was examined & per the inspection 'the tank appears to be serviceable & no repairs were recommended at the time'.

The inspectors never did a dye test as it was not protocol to do so & I would say we were novice at the time to think that we needed to do so... So the inspection was just a visual test.

As for the nature of our home. We are up on a hill with our direct neighbor about 50 feet at the bottom of the hill (the hill almost has steps for each home if that makes sense). Our neighbors house would likely be 50-60 feet from where our drain field is. The house that is saying standing water is from our septic is about 1000-2000 feet down the hill from us. There are two houses between us on this hill & the house (complainer) is at the bottom of hill.

From what I have read online there would be 'signs' of failure that the homeowner would notice. I would assume if the system is failing & is affecting a home that far away that we would notice standing water, smell, etc where our system is? And I would assume that our neighbors directly under our drain field would have signs...?

Although I understand the necessity of putting the health of ourselves & others first - it seems odd that one neighbor can complain about their field being wet & the County's first thought/solution is to test our septic when their are 2 houses between us that are not being tested. It almost seems as though phishing or singling out?

On 2022-05-17 by Friedmandaniel911 (mod) - proper septic system testing, when and how

@Anon,

Thank you, you ask an important and challenging question.

First, Watch out: **IF** the home's septic tank was pumped out before any septic inspection or testing were performed, then those tests would have been seriously compromised and suspect.

We warn of this mistake at WHEN NOT TO PUMP A SEPTIC TANK - a particular risk for home buyers.

If the tank was pumped AFTER a septic loading and dye test, in order to permit more thorough inspection, or after you bought the home, as good maintenance, that's perfectly fine.

Now that worrying aside, I'd like to know the shape of the land between your property and that of the complaining neighbor 3 houses "down".

Certainly at a sloped site, and when there is a septic failure, the effluent break-out at the ground surface is usually down-slope from the actual drainfield or point of failure.

But it'd be a bit surprising for effluent from your septic to show up three properties away with no sign of breakout in-between, if the land slopes uniformly from your property onwards across three neighbors.

In my OPINION, it would be a mistake to refuse to permit septic testing, provided the septic test is performed properly.

First, if your system is in failure, you certainly need to know that and you need to perform the necessary repairs. To fail to or refuse to repair a failed septic system violates health and environmental laws in most jurisdictions and puts the health of yourselves, your neighbors, and the environment all at risk.

For proper septic testing be sure you've read

STEP BY STEP SEPTIC DYE TEST

and

SEPTIC TEST VOLUMES & DYE AMOUNTS

Second: if your septic system fails in wet weather, then it has indeed failed, no-matter that it "works" in dry weather

OR was "failed" from day-one IF it was designed and installed improperly in the first place.

A functional septic has to be designed to work in the normal range of weather conditions (barring unusual area flooding) and to be sufficiently-high above the seasonal high-water table.

After all, it's not likely that people are going to bathe, wash dishes, or flush toilets only during dry weather.

On 2022-05-17 by Anon

My neighbor 3 houses down made a complaint that their pasture has standing water and smells of sewage. The County believes that our septic is causing the standing water. However, the 2 neighbors between us & the complainer have no leakage on their property & we have no leakage or foul smell on our property... We just bought the home 8 months ago & at the time the sewer was pumped out & passed inspection.

Now the County wants to do a dye test to see if our septic is failing. It has been raining a lot this year which I assume contributes to the standing water.... Do I have to let the County do the test? Can I refuse? If I see no signs of a failing system on my property or adjoining properties why would 3 houses down have an issue?

On 2022-03-04 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Nick,

I can't argue the legal question - you need to as a local real-estate attorney that,

but I do want to point out that you certainly don't want to drink contaminated well water - you will want to check your water supply, especially in wet weather as well as in times of drought when the water table level drops, and to install appropriate treatment equipment if a persistent source of contamination is found.

On 2022-03-03 by Nick

I live in Easton, PA, Northampton County. I purchased my property in October 2020 with a new well installed in July 2020. Not disclosed at the time was that the well permit needed a waiver because it falls inside the minimum isolation distance of 100 ft from a neighbor's septic system. It's only 85 ft. Now I have to submit semi annual water samples to the township.

My question is this: If my neighbor's septic pollutes my well would I bear some responsibility, financial or otherwise, to correct the problem due to the close proximity of my newly installed well to the septic system that predates the well?

On 2022-02-10 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Dave D,

What you describe sounds like a health code violation and health hazard.

Ask your attorney and department of health for help.

On 2022-02-10 by Dave D

I live on Los Angeles County and for some reason the house next door has a leach field that is in my front yard. It has not been a problem until a family moved into a 3 bedroom house. There is now about 12 people living here. My question in Los Angeles County is it permitted to have your leach lines in an adjacent property?

On 2022-02-03 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - property owner is responsible for the proper and sanitary disposal of their septic and sewage waste

@Cynthia,

Pretty much worldwide each person or property owner is responsible for the proper and sanitary disposal of their septic and sewage waste. Dumping sewage onto the ground surface is a health hazard and a violation of health code pretty much everywhere.

I can't resolve the question of whether or not you damaged your neighbor's septic system and I certainly think you need to review with your attorney the problem of having an easement on your property for somebody else's septic.

On 2022-02-03 by Cynthia

My mother bought property for my sisters and I in 2000. In 2002 I moved to the property. My lot had my sister septic system on it, I have to allow assess to it. My sister moved on to the property around 2009 I think. The septic is not working now, she said that I crush her fill lines when I built my house and my ramp. She has a pump on the septic and she has the hose dumping on my property. Am I responsible? Do I have to let her tear my drive way and my yard up?

On 2022-02-01 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Larry Sheffield,

It sounds to me like you need to get your local Board of Health involve to help sort this matter out.

Usually at a rental property it's the property owner who has to provide a working septic system.

But don't lose sight of the health hazards here.

On 2022-01-31 by Larry Sheffield

I've been renting a older home, and the next door niebor who also rents has had sewage leakage for the past year.

I have 2 dogs and because I have no room to walk them on the right side of property due to major intersection being to the right of the house I have to walk my dogs in between the niebors house and mine now both dogs are showing signs of rashes that won't go away, what kind of financial responsibility does the niebor have if he is just renting, but has been like this for the past year and he has done nothing to resolve situation

On 2021-12-03 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Anonymous,

I'm experienced in this topic but I'm not an attorney. You need to review these questions with your lawyer who knows the property, the deed, and local law. What follows is mere opinion.

If you sell to the neighbor that eliminates your legal issues, providing your lawyer agrees that the property can be legally and safely sold back to them.

If your neighbor does not buy the property and your septic system is on their property what I said to you before pertains. The property is not easily marketable as no buyer can get a mortgage on a property that has a septic field on someone else's property and as you certainly would need to disclose or expose yourself to a charge of real estate fraud.

On 2021-12-02 by Anonymous

@Inspectapedia Com Moderator,

The neighbor is actually the buyer as she wants to buy my mom's house and turn it into an air bnb. We plan to do more digging this weekend to see where the leach lines end, but we think they end under her garage.

How did that happen you might ask.... The original owner of my moms house built a 2nd home on their land and didn't realize they built a garage over the leach lines on the current house 30 something years ago. I'm afraid my mom didn't get a septic inspection before buying the house 7 years ago, but I could be wrong. (anyway to find that out?) Mom has dementia and can't remember much nowadays. :(

If the neighbor doesn't decide to buy it, do we legally have to get this situation fixed so the leach lines are not on the neighbors property or is there something that protects us since it was never disclosed to my mom (if that is the case)?

On 2021-12-02 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Stephen,

It's very likely that the MAIN sale issue for the property you describe is the encroachment of your septic onto the neighbour's property. No one with any sense would buy such a home without understanding the costs that will be involved in

• resolving a legal dispute with the neighbors
• meeting current sanitary codes for an on-site septic system - including tank and drainfield
• assuring that the property can therefore qualify for a mortgage (few banks will write a mortgage for a property under dispute)

Discuss the options with your attorney. For example IF the drainfield is actually usable, an option might be to buy the encroached land from the neighbor - OR of course abandon it and install a drainfield on your own property IF there is space to do so.

If there is not adequate space on your property it won't be very marketable before a septic solution is found.

On 2021-12-02 by Stephen

My mom bought her house 7 years ago and now we are in the middle of escrow trying to sell it. We did not know the leach lines go into the neighbors property and the inspector is suggesting we should get it replaced in order for them to sign off on the septic inspection.

We are checking with the county to see if we replace the septic tank (which is on my mom's property) will we have to replace the leach lines as well or can we still use the same leach lines that extend into the neighbors property?

On 2021-10-13 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@donna,

If your local building and health department officials are notified of the problems you describe in writing, I'd be surprised if they took no action whatsoever; but if that's the case you may have no choice but to seek legal help.

On 2021-10-13 by donna

My neighbor tried to fill his wetlands for appearance only. He has an above ground tank which he moved away from the wetlands. He started to have problems . His waste water stopped draining from the house. He is manually assisting the draining every night.

Yesterday my toilet started bubbling when flushed. I have never had a septic system problem and there are wet spots appearing on my lot which has no wetlands. I have lived here 20 years. He moved in 6 months ago.

What should I do? I have contacted county code enforcement and FL DEP about the filling which is heavily permitted. He proceeded without a permit. No significant help yet.

On 2021-08-11 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Maine,

These are important and perfectly fair questions but they are one for a local real estate attorney. I would expect the attorney to tell you that you're not obligated to let a neighbor dig up your property to fix their septic system.

It's also the case that in most countries and jurisdictions an owner's septic system has to be on their property.

On 2021-08-10 by Maine

Our neighbors septic is leaking onto our property and the town is making her address the issue but what happens if we find out her current septic system is located on our property? Due to the age of the system, there is no design on file at Town Hall.

She is on a 0.10-acre lot and the cleanout is located on her side but it is very close to the property line according to a recent land survey we had done. We are concerned her leach field could actually be located on our property.

Do we have any recourse to make her move the entire system onto her property if they try to repair it vs replace it? Do we have to allow them to dig up our property if a portion of her system ends up being located over the property line?

On 2021-07-21 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - health code violation without deed-granted easement

@Alayna,

This is a question to take to your lawyer; unless there is a deed-granted easement, then your neighbor's use of your septic system is not only a problem for you (cost of maintenance, load on your septic system, risk of expensive septic failure), it also violates health code (disposing of your sewage on someone else's property) and it also makes the both properties un-sellable.

On 2021-07-21 by Alayna

My aunt sold a piece of her property and told the buyers that they could use her septic tank that is located on her property and wasn’t in use until they got theirs set up. Well my aunt passed away, and now we’re the owners.

What can I do about him still connected to a sewer system that i now own and and is on my property? He thinks he has right to come on my property anytime he wants because of the sewer system and that he is grandfathered in.

Now one of his pipes have busted and is leaking sewer and smells horrible and he won’t do anything about it Said it’s our problem.

On 2021-06-27 by Inspectapedia Com Moderator

@Laura,
Please see the beginning comments to @Christina B. below - in general, unless there is an easement saying otherwise, the septic system serving any property has to be on that property, not on its neighbours; in most jurisdictions the latter would violate health code.

The legal questions of easement and of what happens when you block your neighbors from pooping in your yard are something that you should discuss with your attorney.

OPINION: To avoid escalating a dispute or debate that will surely happen if you simply block off the neighbor's dumping of their sewage effluent onto your property, if I were facing this dispute, I would give them notice that by such - and - such date I will close off their sewage disposal that presently is on my property.

On 2021-06-27 by Laura

I bought a land plot of my parents farm 20 yrs ago and put a home and septic on it. They have now sold the remaining part of the farm and I have major issues with my new neighbors .

My parents leach field is actually in my front yard and it was no big deal. There is no easement in my deed for that leach field to be legally there. I want to to dig up one of the runs and make it collapse.

Is there any legal problem on my end if I do that? I've called the recorders office and they looked at my deed and found no easement listed. Yes! I hate these neighbors this much that I want to make them put their leach field on their own property.

On 2021-06-06 by danjoefriedman (mod) - neighbor built a garage over their septic system

@Christina B.,

Christina, you will want to see the topic home page for this subject

at NEIGHBORING SEPTIC SYSTEM PROBLEMS

for a more-complete set of suggestions and caveats than we can re-create off-the-cuff de-novo here on the FAQs page that is linked to that article.

In the septic ARTICLE INDEX (also given above) there is also an article on SEPTIC CLEARANCE DISTANCES that's worth a look. It's unlikely that the field as it's described is using acceptable setback distances from the property line, buildings, etc.

We can't diagnose or even fully assess a septic design from just a photo, knowing nothing about soil percolation rate, wastewater load, local regulations, etc.,

but if what we see in the photo is accurate, it looks as if the septic drain lines pipes are improperly-placed (holes wrong way - up, the trenches may be closer than recommended, and I don't see the requisite gravel. We also have no data on the adequacy or capacity of the design.

Those and other details may mean the drainfield will fail sooner than normal; A failed drainfield can mean a costly and nasty sewage backup in a home or dumping sewage effluent onto the ground surface (illegal in most countries and jurisdictions, and unsanitary).

At SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SIZE

we explain which way the holes in the sewage effluent distribution pipes should face, and why.

Was this system designed by a professional?

In most jurisdictions a permit and inspections are required to build a septic drainfield. If the neighbor is doing this work without permits and inspections there is of course a greater risk of septic field inadequacy or failure.

If the field fails and leaks onto your property and the neighbor can't or won't fix the problem you will need help from her local health department.

On 2021-06-06 by Christina B.

My neighbor accidentally covered thier own septic drain field with a cement foundation for a new garage. When their system started to back up, he had professionals out. He can't afford what they recommend, and doesn't want to forgo the garage.

So he's building his own new field. It's about 2.5 feet from the property line and 10 feet from my house foundation. What could potentially go wrong, and what risks do I have given it is so close to our house?

On 2020-10-07 - by (mod) -

Anon

Your normal recourse is with your local, state, or provincial health department, though in your state the political climate may be a stumbling block for you.
If you are getting nowhere with state or local DOH officials, then a less desirable recourse is to find an attorney expert in health law and ask for her help in prodding your officials to examine your complaint and to take action if it's appropriate.

On 2020-10-07 by Anonymous

@Anonymous,
I am having a similar issue and getting the run around as well. I’m disabled with an autoimmune disorder and use service dogs. My SD was just tested with a bacteria that was only found with raw sewage and she hasn’t been working in public since August because I had back surgery. The odor is so strong and I can’t let my Dog in my backyard.

Gainesville, FL

On 2020-09-09 - by (mod) -

Larry

Open discharge of sewage effluent onto the ground surface is illegal in just about every jurisdiction including Missouri. You need to get your local department of health, or someone more effective and useful at the MO DNR involved. It may help to document the conditions with

- a site plan drawing

- photographs of active sewage discharge

- lab test results confirming that the material seen at ground level is sewage

On 2020-09-08 by Larry Finkemeier

For 2 years my next door neighbor has been pumping sewage from his septic system to an open area on our property lines. The area is filled with septic waste and eventually runs to the street and/or storm drainage system.

The area has a constant 6" of sewage. I contacted the MO Department of Natural Resources about two years ago. They had me contact an older gentleman in Independence, MO who looked at the problem and advised that he could do nothing since the homeowner was not pumping sewage when he stopped there.

Who should I contact to get this resolved as my grandchildren cannot play near this hazard?

On 2020-08-01 - by (mod) -

NRT

I would start by getting some advice from your State Department of Environmental Protection or conservation. That way you can find out based on the location and size of your pond what regulations apply. Frankly it sounds like a Rat's Nest of problems. You need to discuss with your lawyer what recourse you have.

On 2020-07-31 by NRT

Hi, we are considering purchasing a property with a big pond/small lake. We found out the sewage of this property dumps into the pond as well as the sewage of a neighbor. If we were to buy this property, what would be the steps we would need to take to change this situation?

What is the best way to deal with the neighbor? Once the sewage stops entering the pond, is cleaning out the pond necessary or required by law?

On 2020-06-29 - by (mod) -

Anon

If there is open sewage leaking onto anybody's property, yours and your neighbor's both as you describe it, the DOH ought to require the person owning the system that's the source to fix it.

If in fact one can actually see that the source is a septic tank, with no ambiguity, then in my OPINION you can tell your DOH guy that I think she or he is a chickehheart.

But you may be able to provide your own evidence by having a sample collected and sent to a test lab who can identify sewage bacteria. That's less costly than a lawyer.

On 2020-06-29 by Anonymous

My neighbor has an old septic system that is not on file with the county. The tank is close to the property line and is leaking downhill onto my property in a big mucky puddle. The neighbors had it pumped two years ago and the septic co filed a report with the county that sewage was running back into the tank when pumped.

I called the county health district and the guy said I had to figure out if it was sewage or not he was not going to say. He threatened to write me a violation and said it was my job to research it. However since he would not write me a violation and I try to find the pipes and then hit one I would be responsible for fixing their system.

He did contact the neighbors and they pumped the tank again and the puddle is drying up already but that is not fixing the problem, I know the minute the tank is full it is going to start leaking again.. These neighbors do not communicate with me. How is it that I have to prove that their septic is leaking and spend a bunch of money to fix a problem that is not mine to begin with. Do I have to get a lawyer which I cannot afford?

On 2020-06-25 - by (mod) - neighbors sewer is running into a lake

Susan

In most countries and jurisdictions discharging sewage into a body of water is illegal. If your local Health Department refuses to step in and require the property owner to correct that you may need to contact your state or provincial Department of Environmental Protection or Department of Environmental Conservation

On 2020-06-24 by Susan Coppins

What to do when neighbors sewer is running into a lake

On 2020-05-30 - by (mod) - landlord won't fix our sewage problems

William

Contact your local health department or state department of environmental protection

On 2020-05-29 by William Nichols

My landlord won't fix our sewage problems, he pumps raw sewage to our front yard and drainage ditch, how do I report, my zip code is 77397

On 2020-05-27 - by (mod) - neighbor has been dumping raw sewage

Gale

Contact your State Board of Health

On 2020-05-26 by Gale

My neighbor has been dumping raw sewage on the ground for years now. After speaking with the representative in my local parish in Louisiana, he told me that nothing could be done about it. Since the local rep can't help, who would be the next person to contact regarding the problem?

On 2020-05-19 - by (mod) - it is illegal to dump sewage into a waterway

Kathryn

In just about every country and state it is illegal to dump sewage into a waterway.

You should contact your department of health and your state department of environmental conservation.

Bristol, VA health department
Opens 8AM Tue · (276) 642-7335

TN Department of Environment
Department of Environment & Conservation
David W. Salyers, P.E.
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave
Nashville, TN 37243
(888) 891-TDEC (8332)

On 2020-05-18 by Kathryn helbert

Word error it's holston mtn.please have someone investigate.its unhealthy to our wildlife and for people

At 586 Wyatt hollow rd bristol ,tn.my neighbor gene troxell has ran a pipe from his trailor to the creek which runs into national forrest on holston man.it is his sewage drain .and im for certain the sewage runs from that said ditch with water running into the creek which runs into holston lake

On 2020-05-14 - by (mod) - straight pipe from house to ditch running raw sewage

10 ft may be typical, but no matter.

A failed system that is discharging sewage to the surface is in violation and needs repairs.

On 2020-04-20 by Anonymous

What is the set back for a drain field in Franklin County Missouri my neighbors system is about 10' off my property line and running across my property and puddling on my property.

On 2020-04-18 - by (mod) - straight pipe from house to ditch running raw sewage

Lap

There should be no question about that- unsanitary and illegal.

On 2020-04-17 by Laptops

I have a person that has just a straight pipe from house to ditch running raw sewage

On 2020-03-09 - by (mod) - sewer is endangering federal wildlife refuge

Mark

You might want to try contacting your state department of environmental protection.

On 2020-03-09 by mark thomas

neighbors sewer is endangering federal wildlife refuge, and a well that is less than 100 feet from overflowing tank, he has been known to pump sewer water into well on ajoining property.Health department will not investigate properly.

On 2020-03-04 2 by (mod) - neighbor sewage dumps on ground, never fixed

June

It's a public health hazard to discharge sewage or even graywater to the ground surface. You may need to get help from your local health department.

On 2020-03-04 by June Thompson

My neighbor opened up his sewage line some time ago and then, due to illness, never repaired it. It's a major problem on our own property now. I would like to approach him first and ask him to take care of it since he appears to have made a full recovery. I just want to know what steps to take next if he refuses. Thank you.

On 2020-02-23 by (mod) - neighbors built on property too small for a septic system

Barbara

In most countries a building permit and approvals are needed before you can build a home;

And where there is no public sewer, that permit process requires approving a septic system plan.

Is it possible your neighbors put up a house with no permits? Sure.

Contact your health department. And your building department.

Detailed help and advice are at the home page for this topic: NEIGHBORING SEPTIC SYSTEM PROBLEMS https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Septic_Neighbor_Disputes.php

On 2020-02-23 by Barbara Reitmire

We just got new neighbors who built a house on property that had no septic system and was to small to have one put in. We smell sewer all the time. Who can I contact for help with this problem?

On 2020-01-18 by (mod) - smell from neighbor's abandoned septic connection

Lovenna, you want to read NEIGHBORING SEPTIC SYSTEM PROBLEMS https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Septic_Neighbor_Disputes.php

On 2020-01-17 by lovenna loudermilk

I live in an old mill town. The sewer lines for all the houses used to be connected. The previous owners of our house had the joining sewer lines cut and had their own line ran to the town's main sewer line.

The connecting pipe was cut under our house and then closed and capped off under our house.

The previous owner also owned our neighbor's house and had a line ran to the town's main sewer line as well to avoid sewage problems from neighboring houses. Anyways, our neighbor's sewer line is severely backed up from baby wipes and the sewage is running back up into the old closed off lines, causing them to burst under our house. Because we live downhill to them, all of their sewage is leaking in our basement, which is a dirt floor basement.

The smell is terrible and they are not doing anything to fix it. We have called a plumber out who assessed that is our neighbor's issue causing this problem and we have a written report and evidence that it is coming from our neighbor.

While the plumbers were inspecting, our water was shut off yet the line kept draining under our house. The plumbers asked our neighbors to flush their toilet, and as soon as they did their water started draining into our basement. The sewage is going to keep leaking under our house until they have their sewer lines replaced. I have contacted our homeowner's insurance and they will not cover it because it is not on our property. Our neighbors' insurance also isn't going to cover repairs for some reason that makes no sense. What should I do now?

On 2019-10-08 by (mod) - neighbor has no septic system, just dumps sewage into the woods

Christa

In most communities (you did not tell us your country and city or province), it is illegal to dump sewage or graywater onto the ground surface. That treatment violates health laws in most jurisdictions around the world, and not only risks contaminating local waterways or wells, but basically is inviting serious illnesses in the community.

If you have already had no result from speaking with your neighbor or if doing so is in your opinion unsafe, then contact your local health department and ask the health inspector to take a look.

On 2019-10-08 by Christa L Brown

So my neighbor has no septic tank her sewage pipe just runs into the woods behind her house and intro the grounds the neighborhood is all well water so I'm concerned obviously. We live in georgia. is this legal ? And who do i contact for assistance with this?

On 2019-07-10 by (mod) - neighbors tree roots get into my leachfield

Debbie, that's a tough one. Assuming the neighbor isn 't going to remove trees on their land that are too close to your septic fields, what's left is for you to excavate a trench along the property border and install a tree root barrier material such as corrugated metal.

Don't put such a barrier any closer to the fields than necessary as you don't want to block soil absorption of effluent.

On 2019-07-10 by Debbie

What can I do if my neighbors tree roots get? into my leachfield

On 2019-05-13 by (mod) - neighbors tank has been leaking - fouled up my septic inspection?

Good question.

If a neighbor's septic system effluent is leaking into your yard, and if your septic inspection did not involve a tracer die, it's possible that the neighbors failure could be seen as yours.

On 2019-05-12 by Barry

My septic test failed, trying to sell home. While having men out for prices etc, we learned that my neighbors tank has been leaking for a while. Can their leak cause my test to be off?? They is a slight incline to our yard.

On 2019-04-06 1 by (mod) - neighbor's leachfield close to my well

It's a question to discuss first with your neighbor then your town officials.

On 2019-04-03 by Question: Buckland MA septic setbacks

I'm being told in buckland ma that it's 250 ft from a watter well as well as 100 ft from 2 different town officials.

Their leach field is less then 15 ft from my driveway and their septic line runs under a main road - what do I do

On 2019-04-03 by (mod) - Franklin County MA leach field setbacks

Questioner,

Please take a look at CLEARANCE DISTANCES, SEPTIC SYSTEM

On 2019-04-03 by Question

I live in franklin county massachusetts How far should my neighbors leach field be from my well and my garage

On 2018-12-26 by (mod) - septic systems that contaminate or are too close to bodies of water

Corine,

Most likely yes - though the rules and regulations about septic systems that contaminate or are too close to bodies of water like the creek you cite will vary a bit by country and city or county or province.

Contact your state or provincial department of environmental conservation.

And see details at CLEARANCE DISTANCES, SEPTIC SYSTEM

On 2018-12-17 by Corine

Can you report a landlord that has a septic field only 10 ft away from a creek that flows into a wildlife sanctuary and then into a main river?

The ground has been saturated since we got here and he finally just pumped it, but we are concerned with it contaminating the creek and other waterways because it is so close.

On 2018-12-14 by Ram kumar

My neighbour connect septic tank to open public drain plz tell me where Iam complain

On 2018-09-26 by (mod) - Neighbor's septic tank lateral is on my property in Columbiana County Ohio

That sounds like you need help from your local Health Department or building department who regulates septic installations where you live. General is not permitted to dispose of your septic effluent on a neighbor's property.

On 2018-09-17 by Dan

My neighbor's septic tank lateral is on my property in Columbiana County, Ohio. What are my options for getting it removed from my ground?

On 2017-05-11 by (mod) - find the septic clearance distances for your code jurisdiction

Yes, William, though clearance distances from septic system components vary by jurisdiction.

See SEPTIC CLEARANCE DISTANCES at inspectapedia.com/septic/Septic_Clearance_Distances.php

On 2017-05-11 by Anonymous

We have contacted the environmental health department and the confirmed that it is his septic failure that has caused this problem, we are getting no help on this and cannot afford legal action,5 years of money and time spent for our enjoyment of our back yard gone to waste

On 2017-05-11 by Anonymous

What can I do to have my yard cleaned up and restore to its beautiful state that my son and I spent countless dollars and time on for us to enjoy, we can no longer have use of or backyard, and is my neighbor financially responsible for his negligence

On 2017-05-11 by William

My neighbor is putting in a new septic tank. The leach line is being ran right along the back of my property. Is there a legal distance that he has to stay back from the property line?

On 2017-04-21 by (mod) -

Gerri

Start by calling your local water test lab, obtain the necessary sterile water test sample bottle and sampling instructions and use and follow those.

It's more likely that a failed septic system (yours or the neighbors) or ground water is leaking into both their well and yours - so you'll want to warn the neighbors that their well, too, might not be safe to use (for drinking) and that testing is in order.

The test result can help decide what steps are needed to shock the well and to fix leaks into it.

On 2017-04-20 by Gerri

Please Help My Water is Not far from My Neighbors well that was built in 1967 it has not been fixed or even cleaned they are Snow Birds

My Water smells like I have coli in my Water It is Time for them to Upgrade there Septic system and is there something I can do about this problem for they don't like me already. I have lived in my Home and I have a Upgraded system even when I purchased my Home it was Brand New but they just come and go without Emptying there system

and they told One of My Neighbors they don't believe in that? Emptying there sewer? I never heard of such a Thing..

Its leaking in my Water and Its making my Home smell what should I do and how do I go about telling them there system is Outdated and I am bathing in there Excuse me Poo..

I smell like Poo when I shower and they left when I told them I was having my Water tested to see why I am smelling Poo.. Poof they drove out of here way before there six months was up.. Help I am Drowning in Poo. Miss Gerri P.S.

I have A Brand New Home this is the Only Reason they Don't like me.. Imagine you would think people would be Happy that I upgraded out neighborhood but many get Jealous wow..

I also cannot put anything on My Side of My Fence they remove it saying they don't like anything On There Fence when in Fact I bought before them and I always thought my side of the Fence was mine there's was there's.

It don't matter what I put on Our Fence and I purchased before these people but in Fact I know that My Side is Mine. What can I do about that.

They are Old People and should act way better than a Kid.. Help I am in Trouble and the Neighbors Have gone home once again without Cleaning there Septic tank that they Never have ever done.. In the Years I have Lived here they have been here 17 years me 19

On 2017-03-26 by (mod) -

Surender

To have space to give you a detailed reply I've copied your question and our reply into a separate web page

Please see LOW COST SEPTIC SYSTEMS

On 2017-03-26 by Surender kumar gupta

Hi
I dont have safety tank at my home due to which we r suffering as we have many kids at our home n all our drainage water has been colleted in our home only due to which all mosquito n other insects are coming.

We can connect d pipe to our neighbours pipe line as we have request him many times but he is not allowing us.

So i request u to help ys in getting a safety tanks at our home. Hope u will help us.
Thanking you.

On 2017-02-24 by (mod) re: can septic or sewer line damage make you sick?

Patti I can't have an accurate picture of what might happen in the case you describe - there's just too much on-site information needed that's beyond a one-line e-text.

But in general : a cut line between septic tank and absorption field means there will be

1. effluent discharge into the soil around the break or cut

2. a blocked septic tank outlet

3. a high risk of sewage backup into the building

Depending on the distance from the break or backing septic tank and the building, sure sewage effluent could also appear leaking through foundation walls

On 2017-02-24 by Patti

Hi I was wanting to know if someone cuts the main line from the septic tank and run pvc pip lines under ground with rocks and a vent but it they did not hook it backup to the septic tank will the sewer over flow into the dirt and some how how get into my water in my house and make me sick

On 2016-12-11 by (mod)

if you believe the problem is a sewer pipe for sewage leak, call your health department. If you believe that the odor smells like a dead animal call your Police Department.

If you think the other smells like a gas leak you need to inform everyone to get out of the house and to call emergency services from a safe location.

On 2016-12-11 by Jackie Johnson

My neighbors at 1639 E85th. St,Los Angeles, Ca Has a very bad Stench coming from their home.

On 2016-12-02 by HG

We began construction of a property in 2008 - foundation, walls, septic design, and septic tanks were paid for... Economy crashed and we put the project on hold.
Began construction in Aug. 2016. In 2014, our neighbor sold home, the new neighbor had a well dug. TOO close to where our septic system was to finish being installed.

We have been told our design and permit is no longer valid and we will need to REDO the entire plan.
Can someone comment on the Law of Georgia with regard to our situation, and/or offer advise how to handle this situation. Are there statues that pertain to this problem?

On 2016-11-25 by Akay John

A new septic smell as if it has been in use for decades and it has never been used for once because the main building is still under construction. What is the cause and what can I do to stop the odour?

On 2016-11-14 by (mod)

Andy,

Check with your local board of health on approvals and with your local Kentucky DEP at http://dep.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx Department for Environmental Protection l 300 Sower Blvd, 2nd Floor l Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-0323 (Telephone) l 502-564-4245 (Fax) l envhelp@ky.gov

On 2016-11-14 by Andy

Neighbor is constructing a lagoon septi system next door to me. In a wetland area in Ky.And building 3 apts. on it.What is that going to mean about any smell problems for me.

On 2016-11-09 by (mod)

Melissa,

Combining courtesy and putting worries in writing is often effective. If not you may need to get help from a manager in the health department or in worst case if no building official will help out, then from an attorney.

Sewage spills in or around a home are usually a health hazard. Dumping sewage onto the ground or into a nearby creek, by accident or on purpose is illegal in most jurisdictions.

A "shot" septic tank, if that means leaking or backing up, is also a health concern inviting sewage backups and spills.

On 2016-11-08 by Melissa

The rental place next door has been leaking sewage into what was a spring fed stream since last spring (this is November as I write). I smelled it, but couldn't find the source for some time.

At the beginning of September, when I found the entry point, I advised the landlord (also a neighbor).

I gave him a month to have this taken care of. He did nothing.

October 2, I notified the health department. It took the inspector eight days to come out and see this.

In earlier discussions with him, he told me that he would likely condemn the system and the people would have to move. These neighbors have been an overall pain. However, once the inspector learned who the landlord was - a local young, wealthy, businessman - all those assurances seemed to change.

A week later the tank was pumped. The inspector was here at the time and the pumper advised him that it was shot.

Ten days later the tank was apparently full again and the smell was worse than ever. I found the renter had dug a large hole in the creek bank where the seep was coming from. I should mention that this spot is on my side of the property line. This hole has removed what little barrier there had been and the sewage is pouring into the creek worse than ever. I sent a picture and update to the inspector. I heard nothing back.

The last time the inspector was here was the day the tank was pumped. I've been advised that the landlord is going to replace the system, and he has 45 days to do so. 45 days from when I don't know. Nor do I know what happened to condemning this system and making the people leave until repairs are made.

This is a rural area and cronyism is rampant. This creek flows the entire length of the road, past at least twelve properties and feeds the lake in a huge state park. From my place on down, everything that lived in it is dead now and the stream bed is black with this sewage.

How can I get this health inspector to do what he said he would - and what the law requires?

On 2016-10-26 by Elaine

My neighbor is emptying his raw sewage behind our house is this dangerous

On 2016-09-16 by (mod)

YOu can ask for help from your local health and building departments.

On 2016-09-16 by John D

every time the system behind my property goes off and the sprinklers start there is a foul odor smells like urine very strongly ! I do not know the people at that location And really don't think approaching them about is a very good idea ? What other action or actions can I take to solve this problem ?

On 2016-07-29 by (mod) re: two properties with soakaway beds are failing

Jan

Usually a soil percolation test will find both the soil's ability to absorb septic effluent and also give a clue to high water table: dig deep enough and you may find water; the high water table in most areas varies by season. The best soakaway bed standards expect to find about 24" or 750cm between the bottom of the soakbed trench and the top of the seasonal high water table.

If a neighbour is discharging sewage effluent onto your property in just about any place in the world where there are sanitary and plumbing or septic codes and standards, such discharge would be considered illegal.

It's usually pretty easy for an expert to trace water back to a sewage system by study of the ground layout, by making test holes in and out of the problem area, mapping the soakbeds against those test holes, digging right into the end of the suspect soakbed to find it flooded, and on occasion, a well-executed septic loading and dye test (search Inspectapedia for those terms to see details) will show up septic dye in the suspect waters.

On 2016-07-29 by Jan

I have land behind two properties with failing Soakaways due I think to the water table. The neighbours are in denial.

Environmental health have asked to see their easements but my solicitor tells me that there are definitely no easements to discharge sewage onto our land and that in her opinion they are discharging illegally.

environmental health say they do have easements but will not tell me if they are general or relating to sewage as they do not wish to get involved in civil litigation.

My solicitor says that a general easement is not enough. Does anyone know whether this is the case of not?

We are dye testing for a second time after heavy rain. If that fails I have been told by E H to dig down to the pipes and track them back to the properties.

We all know that there are two properties involved but to do anything E H have to have proof. HELP! Any advice gratefully received.

On 2016-06-27 by J WAYNE MITCHELL

DISTANCE FROM PROPERTY LINE ALLOWED FOR SEWAGE PUMPING STATION.

jwaynemitchell@gmail.com

Question: My neighbor says my leach field is on his property. How can I tell where in is?

7/18/2014 Susan said:

My neighbor says my leach field is on his property. How can I tell where in is?

This question was originally posted at SEPTIC DRAINFIELD SIZE

Reply:

Susan you will want to

Check to see if a septic plan was filed with your local building department but realize that the "as built" actual layout may not be identical to the submitted plan

Find the septic system drainfield distribution box and individual drainfield lines and trace them to their ends by any of several pipe locating methods your local plumber can provide

The septic system component location videos found at SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION - describes finding the possible drainfield location at an unknown-location property

DRAINFIELD PIPE LOCATION, PRECISE describes precise location of a drainfield or soakaway field

SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION is the home page for our complete article series about how to find the septic drainfield

Compare the drainfield line ends with the locally required septic drainfield setback distances from your property line

Check for evidence of drainfield failures such as leakage or odors that might have prompted your neighbor's complaint.

On 2015-10-27 by (mod) -

Melissa,

You are asking a question best taken to your attorney. First be sure that you're not just getting the answer you want to hear from your septic people.

An independent inspection and if appropriate test, should be performed to investigate whatever your neighbor is complaining about. After all, if they are complaining about sewage in the yard, that's bad for both of you and you'd both want the problem fixed.

If there is a sewage problem it needs to be tracked to its source. If it's not a sewage problem that'd be important to know as well. Give a copy of your reports to your neighbor.

On 2015-10-27 by melissa

Our neighbor gets mad at us and calls the septic people on us all the time.they come out and do there test and everything turns out good.can we get them for harassment

On 2015-09-08 by (mod) -

Willie you are describing a health department issue not one to take to your fire, water, or police departments.

Start with the neighbor; if she or he won't address the problem you'll have to resort to your health department.

On 2015-09-08 by willie humphrey

My neighbors sewer line goes thru my yard and under my house. It was laid in late 1800's my grass and trees are dying and a greasy smelling residue comes to the top of the ground where this is happening. There is also a very sour smell at times that gives me a severe headache. Idont know who to contact about this problem. I have spoken to the fire department and the water dept here and dont believe they are qualified to address the problem

On 2015-07-01 by Patti

My water test results came back but I don't understand it was FECAL/COLIFORM 642

On 2015-06-29 by (mod) -

Patti: contact your local health department. Discharging sewage or septic effluent to the surface as well as onto a neighbour's property are both illegal in most jurisdictions.

On 2015-06-29 by Patti

My neighbor is running a hose from their septic onto our property.We told them to stop.Now it smells so I took a sample that is running down our yard .What is my next step

On 2015-06-14 by (mod) -

Indeed it can be discouraging to see the range of variation in how health department and building officials respond in various jurisdictions. With patient, polite and firm conversation with other or higher officials you might get somewhere. Do keep us posted.
- Editor

On 2015-06-13 by sandra hunt

Well I guess TN is different I went to health dept. They sent me to the environmental person he came out here.

The tone of the voice was so terrible. I just shrugged two year fight with the county to no avail. I have been staying pretty sick now for 2 years I weed e my ditch bank my husband is not able to do it they have all there water running to the ditch I was told unless I get a picture of the pipe in the bank don't bother him. I have been reading all day about septic tanks and if you are correct then we are stupid.

Ditches full of waste water there lines caved in just think its going to the farmers crop wow then we are eating the food

Well to make it better I thought we would clean our septic tank out to give them an incentive to do something. Well I have found the pipes I walk a lot thank GOD for smart phones, pictures in hand. Maybe the nasty man can tell his boss that's not his job it was ours.

That could explain why he is so fat and I mean that with all my heart.

Why does TN need anybody like him doing nothing. Just think all that goes to the stream about a mile down the road then where it empty's I don't know.

I have information after reading your site I will be able to talk to someone in Nashville after I get my results back. I thank you so much.

On 2015-06-12 by (mod) -

Contact your county or municipal health department.

On 2015-06-09 by Anonymous

There is a faulty septic system in my area where 2 houses are on the same septic tank and it is leaking out on the ground. I reported it to the victory township and they would not do anything about it unless i revealed my name. I dont want any trouble from the people.

On 2015-04-19 by (mod) -

Sherry

You already indicate that you know that the situations you describe are bad, unhealthy, and are certainly
violations of health codes. You might get further by asking your health department to intervene.

On 2015-04-17 by sherry ansley

I have elder parents who has a septic tank that is flowing over and my father will not have it fixed.

They throw there used tissue in trash can and I have see my mother use her tissue twice.

What to do? also I have another problem, my brother has moved back and using a septic tank that has been filled in, it no longer exists yet he is hook up to it. I consider this nasty. Please help something needs to be done? what do I do?

On 2014-09-07 by (mod) -

Jeff that's a question for you to take to your local health department. I'd expect them to say no. Generally it is not permitted to discharge sewage effluent off of one's own property nor close to its perimeter.

On 2014-09-04 by jeff

If a neighbor redirects sewer run off from his leach bed too a road side ditch line that run on my property,is this legal to do?

On 2014-07-07 by (mod) -

Luci

If the neighbor's problem were actually fixed effectively one would not think that the drainfield would be leaking to the ground surface - so something more is wrong.

Indeed IF your septic drainfield is down-slope from and receives water from the neighbors' system then your field could be flooded too.

Further, discharge of sewage effluent across a property line is likely to upset your local health department.

On 2014-07-07 by Luci Tuttle

My neighbors drain field is leaking, they have had a problem with the toliet running so this has caused the problem, they had it fixed now it is happening again, the problem is that their drainfield is next to ours, will this cause problems with our drrain field?

On 2014-05-21 by (mod) -

Dave, most likely what you describe is prohibited by local building & health codes. If your neighbor is not interested in addressing the issue you may have to stop by your local health department and ask for assistance.

On 2014-05-21 by Dave

how can I stop my neighbour sending treated waste water from his septic to my land

On 2013-04-04 by James

Same issue here, neighbors love is leaking out of the ground (septic drain field failure), First let them know what was happening, nothing done, so I went to local enviromental health reported it in Dec 2011, they pumped tank ,

but after 3 mnths or so, same thing, over flow of their sewage. I repeatedly told them what the problem was and even offered to help them dig it out and fix to no avail. 2nd report/complaint filed with enviromental health and it seems they are not interested in doing anything,

so I guess my next step is too 1) Inform the state health inspector and 2) write my congressman and inquire why nothing is being done by the county environmental health to address and have this problem resolved..

crappy situation that I didn't ask for but I am gonna have it fixed and eliminate their runoff from breaching my land.

On 2013-02-08 by Anonymous

Our apartment contains 27 houses 7 blocks and each block have separate septic tank.there is no sewage connection, hence septic tank has to be cleaned privately, since few house owners are not paying money for septic tank cleaning, tank overflows every 3 days once.

We had even informed the owners to take action, but they declined it and told if you want you can vacate the house or give an police complaint or whatever you can.

Unfortunately our house is located in the ground floor and near to septic tank, we found it tough to survive with baby because of bad odour. Can you suggest to whom we can complaint about this ?

On 2013-01-29 by Anonymous

i have the same problem and spoke politely with my neighbour on a number of occassions but still noting done so today i reported it to the Authoritys i have put up with the smell and dangers for 16 years enough is enough

On 2013-01-20 by Randy

Been in our home for four years. The owner of a septic service for which we use stated to my wife and I he can see the neighboring lot has a septic systemic in failure; also though neighbors have been aware of this problem before we even moved in

. The septic system on this lot is estimated at fifty years old plus, and is said not to have been maintained.

Since we moved in the lot has been vacant until two nights ago. The owner is about to rent the lot without fixing the problem. The lot drains into our back yard, and we constantly have sitting water due to this lot.

Our neighbors have said they approached the owner about this problem, but he seems to refuse to do anything about it. Any suggestions on how to handle this problem appropriately?

On 2012-11-03 by Jeff

Just purchased the home a few months ago and the issue is really affecting the enjoyment of our back yard and deck area.

...

Continue reading  at NEIGHBORING SEPTIC SYSTEM PROBLEMS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see NEIGHBOURING SEPTIC SYSTEM FAQs-2 - more-recent questions and answers about disagreements with neighbours over septic or soakaway bed installations.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• CLEARANCE DISTANCES, SEPTIC SYSTEM
• NEIGHBORING SEPTIC SYSTEM PROBLEMS
• SEPTIC COMPONENT LOCATIONS
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION
• SEPTIC to POOL DISTANCE
• WELL CLEARANCE DISTANCES
• WELL LOCATION, HOW TO FIND

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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