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 that article.

On 2023-06-21 by InspectApedia Publisher - neighbor's septic hazard must be fixed

@Stinky

Please see your entire comment and our reply now moved to

DEFINITION OF SEPTIC SYSTEM FAILURE

On 2023-06-21 by Stinky LePew

My neighbors yard is a collective trash heap for the 40 years ive been hear. ...I found that my neighbor was siphoning his sewage onto his yard.

On 2021-10-20 by inspectapedia.com.moderator - options when neighbor's septic system is on your property

@Fed up,

I think you have to take this problem to your attorney.

On 2021-10-19 by Fed up

We we’re planning on selling our house but after having the boundaries marked by the city we found out that our neighbors septic tank is on our property. Our realtors said we can’t sell it as is because of the liability (we weren’t informed about this when we bought the house)

They said our options are to sell them the part of land the septic tank is on or make them move the tank.

We were hesitant to ask them to spend the money moving it until… They called code enforcement on us for repairing our porch. because we refused to sell them a piece of our property, not the part with the septic system.

At this point, I’m not concerned about their inconveniences. What are our options?

On 2020-03-04 by mod - neighbor dumping raw sewage

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 2020-03-01 - by (mod) - Missouri health department are ignoring an open septic or sewage discharge

Gaerne

If your local health department are ignoring an open septic or sewage discharge that's very disappointing as that's an unsanitary and public health risk.

Try your Division of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102
800-361-4827
573-751-0763

https://dnr.mo.gov/env/

The mission of the Division of Environmental Quality is to help Missourians prevent pollution, protect the public from harmful emissions, discharges and waste disposal practices. We are here to help Missourians improve the quality of the air, water and soil for sustainable use by business, tourism and agriculture.

On 2020-03-01 by Gaerne

How do I report an open septic line and no tank in barry county missouri. I've tried the health department and thrive done nothing.

On 2020-02-20 - by (mod) -

My most thorough and detailed advice is in the article NEIGHBORING SEPTIC SYSTEM PROBLEMS.

If there's a public health hazard and you've already purchased the neighbor and nothing is happening you probably need to get help from your health department

On 2020-02-20 1 by RML

Our neighbor across the street seems to have a septic tank that is overflowing. We are a direct hit and it smells horrible. I made him aware of it about 10 days and he said he would call someone to empty it. I have not seen any action since. He acted unaware and hadn't smelled anything (bc the never walk outside, they only drive in and out). I can see on warmer day that is may be running between his and his neighbor's house. What to do?

On 2020-02-09 by DRD

I have been having a problem with a neighbor also directing water to my lower property. 4 surface water tests indicate contamination high coliform / ecoli levels. Spent thousands and thousands on lawyer, nothing has changed short of a court order if I wanted to spend more thousands. The town did nothing as recent house inspection showed all is in order! Board of Health disappeared because building inspect. said all A-OK.

ce is to grade your property to drain this effluent water away from your house and be done with it. Money better spent in the end.

On 2020-02-04 - by (mod) -

Sounds like you need help from your local health department or building code compliance inspector.

On 2020-02-01 by C & W

Hi, my brother lives in a rural part in Palmdale, CA 93591 where they are renters & have a septic system, and they're right next door to each other, with my brother's yard at a slightly lower level than his neighbor. This neighbor, which we refer to "#15", is pycho and a total pain. She pulls horrible acts & pranks on them constantly, calling the police and alleging lies constantly, including putting obvious human fecal matter on top of their car this morning (was seen running away from the car, screaming, "you s&@t on my car!" then peeled out right after). She's been there 2 months and they've been there a couple years with no problems with anyone until now.

She intentionally drains her run-off into their yard on purpose, with the end of her line propped up on their fence to drain purposely & directly into their yard where my young nephews (8 & 10) play. They've reported it to the property manager as well as the police finally (which suggested a civil suit,yet the police nor manager will give them her name to start proceedings, at least for harassment and a hostile living environment & unhealthy exposure to waste (whether separated or not with liquids from solids) because this woman is beyond difficult, and flat out CRAZY

. No one is doing anything about it. So I'm trying to research laws and see if it's illegal to do this so that if the management doesn't do something, they can file suit if necessary to at least pay to re-locate them. Hopefully they'll stop this mad woman. She's in her mid to late 50's which is way beyond what a youthful but evil person might pull...absolutely ridiculous! They can't afford to move. Isn't this totally illegal??....and how can they start with getting her name too to get a restraining order (which the police said is useless since there's a 300 yard stay away order when they're only a few feet away). They've installed a camera for safety in case worse things happen, and are actually afraid of her. What do they do Please help..(ps. they have pics & video but I don;t have access right now to post it with this message)

On 2020-01-18 - by (mod) -

Lovenna

I suspect there's a solution here but you're going to need help from your local health department and building department to outline what's needed and who's responsible for what.

On 2020-01-17 by Lindsey 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) - it is illegal to dump sewage or graywater onto the ground surface

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 (mod) -

RE-posting

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 2019-11-15 by (mod) -

Ren

Unfortunately if a neighbor is just dumping their plumbing drains onto the ground surface, a technique prohibited just about everywhere, and if the neighbour doesn't want to hear from you about the problem, about all you can do is call your local health department to report a health code violation.

On 2019-11-14 by Ren

the neighbor just runs a pvc pipe out from under his trailer and lets it run the the back hill of his property ? who do i call to report this ?

On 2019-07-22 by (mod) -

No,

That installation would be illegal in just about any country and city where there are plumbing and Sewer or septic regulations.

On 2019-05-21 by Me

My neighbors septic system has no leach field it drains into a creek and his grey water runs through a separate Pipe also into the same creek. Is this legal?

On 2018-12-14 by Anonymous

There is no foubt that my neighbors septuc is leaking inti my back yard into my drainage ditch that flows into a very small pond. The pond was dug to be something ti sut by in afternoon hiurs ti relax by... Thats all changed with floating debis and an awful smell at times..more so on hot days. My neighbor has been aware of thus priblem made on 2 seperate occasions, but blows it off by sayibg the person he bouggt property from saud its grandfathered

On 2018-05-02 by (mod) -

Jordan

You can knock on the door and politely say that you want to discuss with him a problem that they might not have noticed Dash a septic failure indicator that affects both of you. If the neighbor refuses to discuss the issue you may have no recourse but to ask her health department for help. But certainly don't go there before getting your neighbor the courtesy of an effort to discuss it with him.

On 2018-05-02 1 by Joann

Is there a good way to approach a neighbor about a septic tank problem on their property. I do not see or talk to them and don't really know them, and I feel very uncomfortable approaching them about this issue, but it is just getting worse and is causing much anguish and stress for my husband and myself. The smell is terrible at times and it's making me crazy, but I'm not comfortable approaching them. Any suggestions. Somethings got to give here soon.

On 2017-09-20 1 by barry

My neighbor is separated from our property by an undeveloped road allowance and appears to be piping greywater (not septic) into a small gravel filled ditch that empties into a low spot in the bush between our lots. This is also 20 feet from a lake. On days when the wind blows the wrong way we can smell it often and its bad. This has got to be illegal right?

On 2017-07-20 by (mod) -

Renee

It's best not to step into sewage or possible sewage as it contains bacterial and other hazards.

If there is a sewage leak on the surface of your neighbour's yard, first tell them about it. If the neighbor is not willing or able to fix the problem then your local health department will probably have to get involved. In most communities, because of possible hazards to both health of people nearby and hazards to the water supply, rivers, lakes, streams, wells, aquifers, it is illegal to discharge sewage to the ground surface.

On 2017-07-20 by Renee

My neighbor has something, looks like sewer backing up in backyard. I've tried to get closer to look at it but can not. It looks like dark muddy watery substance & possibly used toilet paper. Is it a health risk for me? What can I do without causing problems?

On 2017-04-24 by (mod) -

You will have to ask for help from your local health department.

On 2017-04-24 by mike

neighbor septic smelling for three months now.he refuses to fix it.what should my next move be?

On 2018-09-26 by (mod) - my neighbor's septic drainfield is on my property

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 2018-09-02 by (mod) - neighbors sprinkler sewer system sprays into our yard .

Time to call your health department to ask for help with a neighbor violating what is likely to be the law where you live: spraying sewage effluent off of their property onto yours.

On 2018-09-01 by B.j. Murrell

Our neighbors sprinkler sewer system sprays into our yard . We are putting up a fence and asked them to point the heads in the other direction or move them . Her response was .. just wash it off . The fence is to stop her from videoing us every time we go on our back porch !

On 2018-08-23 by (mod) - neighbors sewage is puddling on my driveway

Call your health department and ask for help. In most countries and cities or jurisdictions discharging sewage to the surface is not permitted.

On 2018-08-23 by Rosina Sloan

The neighbors sewage is puddling on my driveway and it smells foul, it’s starting to seep closer to the house, we moved into the property in may 2018,

and we have mentioned it to them, he stated he was awaiting his architect to come up with plans for a new septic tank. But the seller of our house told us it had been like this for 2 years, we haven’t seen anyone out looking at this, where do I stand

On 2018-08-06 by Anajo Chaffee

Thank you

On 2018-08-06 by (mod) - Peirce county library septic is failing.

Anajo

You need to review your concern with your county health department and public officials.

On 2018-08-06 by Anajo Chaffee

Peirce county library septic is failing. And the smell is so bad that it is affecting my business. People dont want to come on for food and drink.

The smell comes in my building. I went i city sewer 3 years ago. The smell didnt use to come in when i was on septic. But since we have been on city sewer this has become a real problem. Please help.

On 2018-07-21 by (mod) -

Steven:

Contact both your Washington State Department of Ecology regional headquarters (data given below)
and
Contact your local health department in the city where you live

Washington State Department of Ecology
https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-to-know-us/Contact-us

Report a spill to water by calling 1-800-OILS-911 (1-800-645-7911) - this appears to be for Oil Spills not septic and sewage contaminants

We respond to incidents that damage land, air, and water. You can help protect the environment by immediately telling us if you see a problem that is causing pollution. The sooner we know, the sooner we can take action.

Problem sources we want to know about include:

Spilled oil or other hazardous material

Smoke caused by non-permitted burning

Illegal dumping

Illegal water use

Polluted, oily, or murky water (high turbidity)

At the following web page you will find four contact regions - pick the one that is correct for where you live

https://ecology.wa.gov/About-us/Get-involved/Report-an-environmental-issue#ContactRegions

On 2018-07-21 by Steven

I live in Washington and my neighbors septic is backing up into the lake on their property, the lake runs on to my property and I am concerned about my well water and the health and welfare of the children living in the home.

What can I do ? Who would I report this to?

On 2018-05-09 by Cheryl

Yes I have a question my neighbors septic tank is overflowing in my yard I have done called and dealt with Polk county health department vand environment division.

And neither place have done anything it has been like that for 3 months. I need to find out who I need to report this to where they will actually do something about besides fine our landlord.

Cause that hasn't helped in 3 months. The neighbors or the landlord aren't doing anything about it. And there is even a kid there. All I know is I have been sick since it happened. I live in Lakeland Florida. Please help me. My email address is (irishsquaw1967@gmail.com)

On 2018-04-30 by (mod) -

Teri
Call the White County Health Department
White County Health Department
135 Walker St
Sparta, TN - 38583-1725
931-836-2201

On 2018-04-30 by Teri

Who do you call about a septic tank, smell in sparta tn, please email me at cata@ blomand.net

On 2018-04-14 by (mod) -

Allen it seems unlikely that your local health department will approve of a septic system whose spray heads spray off of the owner's property. Check with your building and health departments about your local septic dispersal system setback and clearance distance regulations.

On 2018-04-14 by Allen

My neighbor recently got a orbital sewer system. The sprayer heads are close to my yard when sprays it sprays on my property. And keeps my yard wet with sewer water. Is there anything I can do about it ?

On 2018-04-10 by (mod) -

Natasha

You don't mention where you live - country, city, state or province, but in most locations it is a violation of health code to dump sewage onto the ground surface - and of course a health hazard and a risk of contaminating local waterways, wells, etc.

I'm confused between "the city" and "the health department" since most cities have a department of health that is a city agency. That's who you need to call. Not knowing where you live that's the most I can suggest.

On 2018-04-10 by Natasha

My neighbors are dumping there sewage from the recreation vehicle that they living in on there vacant lot next to my property.

I have kids and can't go in yard due to the nasty stinky pee Pooh mud hole. Who can I report this to?

I need to test it the city brought it to my attention that it wasn't a broken line it was nieghbors but they can't do anything I have to call Heath department. I've tried and tried but couldn't find who to call. Have you any answers.

On 2018-02-26 by (mod) -

I can't imagine that it would be worth the trouble to you to sue the town for what your neighbor did staying in a three-season home

It seems unlikely that you would collect anyting considering that you don't currently have evidence of a problem. However you could discuss with your local building department whether or not proper and sanitary on-site waste treatment system has been installed at a neighboring property.

On 2018-02-26 by Bill

Do I have any recourse if my neighbor has stayed the winter in a three season home. The home has an improper septic with only a tank and dry well. Can I sue the town ? They were told before winter the owners weren't leaving. Nothing was done. I do not want to wait for effluent problems.

On 2018-02-22 by (mod) -

JJ

I can't really assess an odor risk of health hazard by any text, but it is my thought that if your neighbor's lawn is saturated with sewage then their septic system is not just most likely damaged or in Failure,

but probably in violation of local Health ordinances. If your neighbor is not willing to address those conditions unfortunately you may have no other choice but to ask for advice and help from your local Health Department.

On 2018-02-22 by JJ

Can septic odors from a neighbor''s septic system and saturated lawn, harmful to my family?

On 2018-02-11 by (mod) -

This is a problem to take to your health department.

On 2018-02-11 by Anonymous

Neighbors running down on my property and I am on a well, they refuse to fix it have sked for 3 year's.

On 2018-02-06 by (mod) -

sounds like a question to take to your local Department of Health

On 2018-02-04 by Ken

Since my neighbour built this semi beside us. We get a sickening smell of sewage now and again. Its smells outside and then enteres the house. It seems when their using the toilets. We have had the town come come out and have agreed that its from his tank. Who else can we call to get some action as the slum lord isnt doing anything.

On 2018-01-16 by (mod) -

Carla, you need tho call a local plumbing contractor

On 2018-01-15 by Carla

My pipe is busted n sewage is running on the ground. Address 9887cottage circle rd laurel de. 19956'

On 2017-12-30 by (mod) -

The system you describe is improper and is illegal in most jurisdictions. You need an effluent absorption bed, drainfield

On 2017-12-30 by Moses

In my house I have concrete sceptic tank .it is divided two parts. Inlet pipe one side.a and another side outlet pipe for overflow water to ditch. In meantim when over flow water comes it feels dirty smell.have a air vent pipe from top of the tank.how to short out the problem.

On 2017-09-21 by Anonymous

My neighbor has an open septic tank in his front yard. He is using a shop vac on the hole and dumping it in he's yard. Should I be conspired?

On 2017-09-05 by (mod) -

It's common for a septic tank to be a couple of meters from a building exterior. If the tank and drainfield are working properly I'd not expect the tank to smell. If there are sewage leaks to the surface or if there are sewer gases inside the home those are more immediate hazards.

Beyond those concerns an inspection by a septic inspector or septic contractor should identify the issue. If you Use the on-page search box at the top or bottom of this page to find our article on SEPTIC SYSTEM ODOR SOURCES you can find diagnostic and repair suggestions. Keep me posted Drienie as what you learn may let us offer more specific suggestions.

And let your landlord know that there could be a risk of sewage backup, methane gas hazards (especially if indoors), and health hazards - orally and in writing.

On 2017-09-05 by Drienie

We rent a house on a plot. We did not know there is a septic tank right in front our front door and at the back of the house.Is this a health problem for us? When we open the front door we can smell it.What can we do about it please.Is it legal to have a septic tank so close to our doors??

On 2017-06-12 by (mod) -

In most jurisdictions it would be illegal to discharge sewage into any body of water. IF the neighbor's system is the source of sewage running into a lake and is not interested in addressing it the two authorities who should care are your state or provincial department of environmental protection and your local health department. Ask them to take a look.

On 2017-06-12 by Patti

Our neighbor's septic is leaking and running down a right of way into the lake. We are confident that it is sewage due to green slime and an odor coming from it. Some of the rocks in front of our place have a green slime on them now. Who do I call or what direction do I need to go.

On 2017-05-13 by (mod) -

Sw

While I'm sympathetic, yours is a legal question to discuss with your attorney.

On 2017-05-13 by Swb

I was wondering who you would sue besides the people that have the raw sewage going on my property. It has been going on for 15 plus years on part of my 22 acre property. The region and the town must have known this because the 6 popes flow under a regional road and have been poisoning and eroding my property.

I feel has kept me off that part of my property and devalued as a whole. Should I just blanket sue everybody and see who picks up the tab for clean up and devaluation.

On 2017-05-11 by (mod) -

Anonymous,

Read your comments, but I can't say that I understand the situation. It certainly sounds reasonable to me that if you're not pursuing legal action to require a neighbor to pay for damage that you feel they did to your property, then by far the most economical and least painful approach will be to Simply hire a landscape contractor to provide necessary refill, grating, and seating to restore your lawn.

Do take care that no one drives your equipment across what might be someone's septic leach field or soak dead as that would cause costly damage.

...

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

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