Neighboring Septic System Dispute FAQs-2

Neighbor's septic is on your land
Neighbor's septic drains into nearby creek or lake
Neighbor's septic spills sewage onto their land
Neighbor's septic spills sewage onto your land

Neighbor's Septic Is Located on My Property FAQs

Our neighbors septic tank is on our property. Our realtors said we can’t sell!

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 2021-10-19 by Fed

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.

If you have enough total property to sell the affected area to your neighbor, and provided that the neighbor's septic system is working and not contaminating other areas of your property, that might be a solution.

If you don't have enough land to sell off that portion to the neighbor, or if they refuse to buy it, then you may have no option but to remove their septic system from your land.

Watch out: out of respect for public health, if the neighbor's septic system is working right now and if you are going to have to remove it to sell your property, I would not just rush to dig up and remove it as that could create an immediate public health hazard; your lawyer will probably tell you to give the neighbors a reasonable time to respond after which you may have to remove their septic components from your land.

My neighbor's septic tank is on my property - how do I get it removed?

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 2018-09-17 by Dan

by (mod) -

That sounds like you need help from your local Health Department or building department who regulates septic installations where you live.

Generally is not permitted to dispose of your septic effluent on a neighbor's property. But I suspect there is a history of property subdivision here that didn't sort out this problem when a lot was spun off for resale.

Also ask your attorney to review your property deed and survey for any easements.

What do I do if neighbors tree roots get into my septic leachfield

What can I do if my neighbors tree roots get? into my leachfield On 2019-07-10 by Debbie

Reply by (mod) -

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.

Could a failed neighbor's septic system cause my septic inspection/test to fail?

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 2019-05-12 by Barry

Answer by (mod) - Yes

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.

It's also the case that even if the septic leakage found on the property you're selling is ONLY from a neighbor's system, it's a health issue for anyone on your property as well. - Daniel Friedman

Neighbor's Septic Spills Sewage onto Your Property FAQs

My Neighbor built over their septic tank, now it's backing up onto my property?

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 2021-06-06 by Christina B. -

Answer by danjoefriedman (mod)

@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.

Our neighbor is dumping raw sewage onto our property

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 2020-03-04 by June Thompson

by mod -

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.

How should I approach a neighbor about a septic problem on their property?

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 2018-05-02 1 by Joann

Reply 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 - 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.

My neighbor directs their sewage contaminated runoff onto my land

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. On 2020-02-09 by DRD

Reply by (mod)

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

Watch out: but open sewage being spilled continuously onto the land even from a neighbor can be a public health hazard. If your local health department wont' respond contact your state or provincial health authorities for advice.

Aerobic Septic Effluent Spray Heads Spray onto our Property Line Fence

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 2018-09-01 by B.j. Murrell Neighbor's

by (mod) - Aerobic septic sprinkler systems are not allowed to spray that close to a property line

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.

See CLEARANCE DISTANCES, SEPTIC SYSTEM

Neighbor at rental property directs their septic onto our yard

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 2020-02-01 by C & W

Reply by (mod) -

In pretty much every community, a landlord is required by law to provide safe, sanitary housing.

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

Neighbor's sewer line drains under our house

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 2020-01-17 by Lindsey Loudermilk

Reply 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.

I think my water well is contaminated by my neighbor's septic system

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 2017-04-20 by Gerri

by (mod) - get your water tested

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.

Neighbor building drainfield close to our property line: what are the setbacks?

Our neighbour is about to put in a new leaching field and septic tank. Our leaching field is just a few feet away from his property line and he intends to put his field a few feet the other side of his property line.

How close can two leaching fields be? 14 Sept 2015 Tom

Reply:

Tom:

Generally your local building department or health department will specify a property line set-back requirement such as 10 feet from the edge of the drainfield.

See NEIGHBORING SEPTIC SYSTEM PROBLEMS

and see CLEARANCE DISTANCES, SEPTIC SYSTEM

Neighbor's Septic Spills Sewage onto Their Own Property FAQs

How do I report a neighbor who is dumping raw sewage onto the ground?

How do I report an open septic line and no tank in Barry County missouri. I've tried the local health department and they have done nothing. On 2020-03-01 by Gaerne

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.

Neighbor's septic tank is overflowing and they won't fix it

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 2020-02-20 by RML

Reply 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

Neighbor's Septic Runs Right into a Creek or into Other Land FAQs

Neighbor's septic tank drains directly into a creek or into a pond

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 2019-05-21 by Me

My neighbor's septic system is leaking into my back yard and then 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 this problem but blows it off by sayiyg the person he bouggt property from said its grandfathered - On 2018-12-14 by Anonymous

by (mod) - a "grandfathered" septic system that is a public health hazard is not acceptable and is not legal

No,

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

Contact your local health department.

Neighbor's septic system spills into the lake - how do I report it?

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 2018-07-21 by Steven

Reply 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 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT CONTACTS 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

Neighbor has no septic system, just dumps sewage into the woods

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? Christa L Brown

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.

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.

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.

What if Neighbor's septic is in wetlands?

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 2021-10-13 by donna -

by Inspectapedia Com Moderator - contact your local, state, or provincial department of environmental protection or conservation

@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.

Texas neighbor's septic leaking sewage for at least 30 days.

My neighbors are renters the septic system in the mobile home they rent and is 100 ft from my property line and 200 ft from my mobile home.

The system has roots in it and has been leaking sewage for at least 30 days. The sewage leaks on to my property and a third neighbors property. This is in Hunt County in Texas. Can someone tell me what to do. Help. On 2020-04-04 by Lynn

Reply by (mod) -

Lynn

Discharing septic effluent to the surface is a public health hazard that is illegal in Texas. If the property owner isn't taknig steps to fix the problem you need to ask for help from your local department of health.

Hunt County Texas Department of Health
Address: 2700 Johnson St, Greenville, TX 75401
Opens 8AM Mon
Phone: (903) 408-4140

See also NEIGHBORING SEPTIC SYSTEM PROBLEMS