This article addresses the question: how long do septic or sewage bacteria or pathogens last in or on the ground after sewage has leaked onto the ground surface from a septic tank or sewer backup?

Page top photo: pointing to an area where septic effluent was found on the ground surface at a private home septic soakaway bed or leachfield.

Septic Tank & Drainfield Failure or Sewage Spill Pathogens In / On Soil

On 2023-09-05 by Lorraine - How long will there be Health Hazards from Septic or Sewage Leaks or Spills that Contaminated Soil?

I live on a property that belongs to an elderly man. He lives in an apartment inside a large metal shop, and I live in a large motorhome.

He started having trouble with his septic about 3 years ago and instead of having the sewage back up into his sink or shower he just took off the clean out cap,( I think that's what he called it) and that way his sewage would just run out onto the ground instead.

[Click to enlarge any image]

He left it like that for about 2 years. It took another 6 months or more to have it taken care of. The ground was being saturated with the sewage daily and my motorhome is approximately 30 ft away from where it came out.

Although they fixed it, they did nothing for clean up.

My questions are: with the prolonged amount of time it was soaking into the ground, and without clean up, is it STILL a hazard to a person's health?

AND could it have got into the well water?

Also before anything is said about why didn't I just move, let me say that I survive on a fixed income and I would end up being homeless, like so many people are today, Believe me, I would of moved long ago if it was possible.

My health was very poor before I moved here but this has made it so much worse.
Thank you for your time,
Lorraine

This Q&A were posted originally at SEWAGE CONTAMINATION FAQs 

On 2023-09-05 by InspectApedia Publisher (mod) - variables affect how long sewage/septic-contaminated soil is hazardous

@Lorraine,

Bottom line:

With no information at all about your location, site, soil properties, well-to-septic distance, drainage directions, nor time since the spillage ceased etc. we can not give a "safe" answer to the question of "how safe is my yard after a septic spill".

About the well contamination question: in general, if the well at your property was located the required distance from the septic system AND if the shape of or slope of the ground didn't send sewage towards the well, then the risk that the septic discharged has contaminated your water well is probably low.

Please continue reading to understand the information needed to get a "safe" answer to your questions.

For other readers: What "sewage contaminants" are we talking about? Bacteria, coliform, E-coli, other bacteria commonly found in and are test markers for sewage, and other harmful viruses that may be expected in sewage. So there can be other serious pathogens (disease-causing organisms) in sewage as well, as you'll see listed in some of the references for this article.

Sewage also may contain parasites (such as roundworms or hookworms).

Depending on what people have flushed into a septic system, sewage discharge can contain other chemical contaminants, heavy metals, and other organic and inorganic contaminants that can be a hazard to the health of people and animals in the area.

How long after septic/sewage has been spilled onto the ground surface does that soil remain hazardous?

Just how long sewage or septic overflow contaminants last in soil depends on quite a few variables, so we can't give an exact answer to your question of how long surface sewage contaminated soil remains hazardous.

Factors Affecting How Long Sewage Contaminants Last in Soil

• Volume and concentration of sewage
  
  that was spilled
• Duration of active sewage discharge
  
  and after the last active discharge of sewage, the length of time that the sewage remained in contact with soil or other materials at the property (and their porosity)
• Area affected:
  
  slope of the land where the sewage or septic discharge or leakage occurred and the total area over which the sewage was spread
• Soil properties
  
  such as porosity (sandy soil) or lack of porosity (clay content) and related, the depth to which soil pathogens entered the ground, and also soil chemistry, including its pH (lower pH = longer duration of some contaminants).
• Soil disturbance
  
  such as by plowing or other farming activities, and possibly the disturbance by passage of livestock over the ground may affect the penetration of contaminants into the soil, sending them deeper and thus contributing to longer lasting contamination.
• Weather conditions
  
  the frequency and amount of rainfall after the sewage/septic effluent discharge
• How much time has passed
  
  (days, weeks, months or longer) since the last discharge of sewage/septic effluent onto or into the soils

So key to even guessing at an answer to your question is the number of days, weeks, months, or years that have passed since the septic outflow problem was fixed?

Time Range Estimates for Sewage Contaminated Soil Surfaces to Recover

While there are exceptions, at least some experts think that within 2-3 months after sewage contaminants have been spread by area flooding the level of enteric bacterial hazards will be significantly reduced. (U.S. CDC 2001)

Similarly, some sewage contaminants in soil can last for at least 100 days, (and possibly longer depending on the type of soil, the amount of rainfall since the contamination source stopped, and other factors). (Burge 2011)

Other sources that we reviewed for this article assert that sewage contaminants can remain in soil for years under some conditions (though expert source citations were not given for that claim - Ed.)

But keep in mind that the concentration of sewage and sewage pathogens being spread by floodwaters is likely to be very much more diluted than raw sewage spills or effluent escaping from a burst sewer line or failed septic system.

So when estimating the safety of soil surfaces after a significant volume and area of raw sewage escape onto a ground surface, we think that a longer period of restricted use is probably safer.

If a year or more has passed since the problem was fixed and provided there has been adequate rainfall, the surface soil is not likely to be hazardous to people simply walking over the area or perhaps sitting on outdoor furniture over such an area.

Watch out: however, soil dust from soils previously contaminated with sewage pathogens may remain hazardous for much longer if it is significantly disturbed, such as during excavation for the installation of a replacement septic drainfield.

See those details at SEPTIC TANK / FIELD INSTALLATION HEALTH HAZARDS

Is the water well contaminated by septic tank failure and sewage?

With no other information about your case, the best answer is simply to have your well water tested.

While there are many potential contaminants, the standard starting point is to have the water tested for coliform bacteria.

That test is quite inexpensive and easy to obtain.

Details are at

BACTERIA TEST GUIDE

Is the ground where septic or sewage previously spilled safe to walk on?

A general answer, that might not be accurate for your case (where we have no information), is that if a year or more have passed and you live in an area where there has been rainfall, the ground surface is likely to be safe to walk on.

Even if sewage contamination was more recent, if you're not walking barefoot there is little chance that you're picking up dangerous levels of sewage contaminants simply by walking over the ground. Wear shoes.

And I'd add a third question:

Is it safe to eat fruits or vegetables grown in soil where there has been sewage or septic contamination?

That is answered at GARDENS NEAR SEPTICS

Watch out: not only are septic/sewage pathogens in raw sewage or sewage-wet soil dangerous, even dust from dry soils that have been contaminated with sewage, such as dust raised during septic system excavation, can be dangerous, even fatal!

That hazard is discussed separately

at SEPTIC TANK / FIELD INSTALLATION HEALTH HAZARDS

Question: what do we do about sewage found in our yard

We did not know that the sewage was backing up out of pipe into the yard. (Pictures at bottom).

When we found out we used rubber gloves and heavy duty trash bags to pick up used toilet paper and waste as much as we could. We cannot afford to have a plumber or someone come out to cleanup.

How can we cleanup? What can we use or buy to cleanup? Where can we buy products? Just wondering, what could be the problem causing this backup?

Please advise as soon as possible both my husband and I are unemployed and do odd jobs when available. - Anonymous by private email 2017/04/19

Reply:

Once you've cleaned up obvious sewage, paper, waste, there's not more that's likely to be appropriate nor needed outdoors; rain and time and soil bacteria should be sufficient PROVIDED that the source of the backup is repaired.

From your photo I see what looks like sewage backed up out of a white PVC drain line cleanout, but I'm not sure - it could also be an access to a septic tank or even a point in a septic drainfield.

If the pipe is connected to a public sewer than the drain line past that point has clogged and needs to be cleared - by hiring a plumber with a power auger or renting a drain cleaning tool. Keep in mind that if the clog is because the sewer pipe is broken then unclogging it won't suffice: the damaged section of piping will need to be dug up and repaired.

If the pipe is connected to a septic tank then the tank or drainfield is backing up or has failed.

If the septic system has failed or a sewer pipe is broken or clogged, the problem needs to be found and fixed. Otherwise the backup will continue and worse, it may back up into your home causing more costly and risky damage.

Watch out: before attempting any of the septic/sewage soil contamination remedies listed here be sure to consult with your local health department for advice about what steps make sense for your situation and to find who in your geographic area has the necessary expertise.

1. Diagnose and then Fix the cause of sewage / septic backup or discharge
   
   Start at CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR if drains in the building are slow or backing up
   
   If you think your house drains are not blocked,
   
   see CLOGGED DRAIN vs SEPTIC PROBLEM
   
   And then be sure to
   
   read SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA for help in determining if in fact the septic system has failed
2. Soil disinfection treatment using chemicals or bioremediation may be appropriate for some septic/sewage spills onto the soil at your building.
   
   Keep in mind that naturally-occurring aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are found in most soils and are relied on to process and break down biological contaminants in normal sewage effluent discharged into a septic drainfield, mound system or soakbed.
   
   For modest septic/sewage surface spills those bacteria may be enough.
   
   The most common and readily available "disinfectant" used on sewage spills is garden lime that is applied, left in the liquid discharge area until it has dried, then collected (raking & shoveling) and bagged for disposal.
   
   We list some microbial cleaners for sewage in the references section of this article.
   
3. Removal of sewage contaminated soil may be appropriate for some sewage / septic spills that left considerable sewage on the ground surface.
   
   You may need help from both an excavation contractor and an approved waste hauler.
4. Burying sewage contaminated soil by addition of fresh clean soil fill can be an alternative to steps 2 or 3 above for some situations, provided the terrain shape and surface drainage control permit the addition of clean fill.
   
   In this case, the contaminated soil that's buried should be left undisturbed to permit breakdown of those contaminants that can be broken down by soil bacteria or diluted over time by natural rainfall and snow-melt.
5. Thermal desorption of sewage contaminated soil
   
   Rarely applicable to residential sewage spill is thermal desorption that heats sewage-contaminated soil, then returns it to the site.

 

Septic System / Sewer Spills or Outflows onto the Ground: Hazard Research

• [5] Alaska, INSTALLERS MANUAL FOR CONVENTIONAL ONSITE DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS [PDF] Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Environmental Health Drinking Water and Domestic Wastewater Program, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, 1 Aug 2000, Anchorage Offices, 555 Coredova, Anchorage AK 99501, Tel: 907-269-7500. retrieved 17 July 2012, original source: http://dec.alaska.gov/water/wwdp/onsite/pdf/Certified_Installer%27s_Manual.pdf
  
  Notice: [Quoting]
  
  This document contains information regarding the installation of onsite sewer systems for single-family and duplex residences. It must be used by Certified Installers and homeowners who are subject to 18 AAC 72.
  
  Additional requirements are included in 18 AAC 72. If there is a conflict between the provisions of this manual and 18 AAC 72, 18 AAC 80, or other state regulations, the regulations language controls. AEDC offices.
• Australia, INFECTION RISKS from WORK WITH SEWAGE [PDF] Australia, Government of Queensland, - retrieved 2022/02/22 original source: https://www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/safety-and-prevention/hazards/hazardous-exposures/biological-hazards/infection-risks-from-work-with-sewage
• Bauer, Michael, Herwig Gerlach, Tobias Vogelmann, Franziska Preissing, Julia Stiefel, and Daniel Adam. "Mortality in sepsis and septic shock in Europe, North America and Australia between 2009 and 2019—results from a systematic review and meta-analysis." Critical Care 24, no. 1 (2020): 1-9. - Open Access at https://ccforum.biomedcentral.com/
  
  Excerpt from Results:
  
  Four thousand five hundred records were identified. After title/abstract screening, 783 articles were assessed in full text for eligibility. Of those, 170 studies were included. Average 30-day septic shock mortality was 34.7% (95% CI 32.6–36.9%), and 90-day septic shock mortality was 38.5% (95% CI 35.4–41.5%).
  
  Average 30-day sepsis mortality was 24.4% (95% CI 21.5–27.2%), and 90-day sepsis mortality was 32.2% (95% CI 27.0–37.5%).
• Boulder County SEWAGE BACKUPS AFTER A FLOOD [PDF] Boulder County DOH, 3450 Broadway, Boulder Colorado, Web: BoulderCountyWater.org Tel: 303-441-1564 - retrieved 2023-08-05 original source:-/bouldercounty.gov/disasters/flood/health/sewage-backup/
  
  Except:

  If the contaminated area is in the open, it should either be covered with clean dirt or temporarily fenced off to prevent accidental contact with the lime and any remaining contamination. After a day or two, mix the lime in with a rake and use a sprinkler or hose to water the lime and any remaining residues into the soil.
  
  Prevent any water or soil from entering stormwater by containing it onsite or disposing of it in an approved landfill or approved wastewater dump station. Let the area dry in the sun if possible before allowing access.

  Excavated soils may be remediated onsite by treatment with garden lime and should be turned over frequently to provide oxygen to the naturally occurring microbes in the soil that degrade the organic material.
  
  If onsite treatment is not possible, or if it can’t be accomplished without creating a nuisance condition, contaminated soils and other materials removed from the impacted area may be disposed of at any landfill willing to accept them.

• Burge, Harriet, Ph.D. HOW LONG do BACTERIA SURVIVE in INDOOR SEWAGE SPILLS? [PDF] Indoor Environment Connections, March 2011, - retrieved 2023/09/05, original source: emlab.com/resources/education/ask-dr-burge/how-long-do-bacteria-survive-in-indoor-sewage-spills/
  
  Note that this article is focused on indoor sewage spills not outdoor septic / sewage discharges.
  
  Excerpt:
  
  This is a good question that, currently, does not have an answer. Virtually all of the research on the survival of these bacteria has focused on water, soil, manure, and sewage sludge.
  
  On the other hand, the indoor environmental investigator needs to know how long the bacteria survive as a sewage spill or flood dries, and how to document that the environment has been sufficiently cleaned.
• Groundwater Governance Org. HOW TO CLEAN CONTAMINATED SEWER WATER ON SOIL [PDF] Groundwater Governance, Web: groundwatergovernance.org - retrieved 2023-09-05, original source: https://www.groundwatergovernance.org/how-to-clean-contaminated-sewer-water-on-soil/
  
  Note: the author for this article is given as a first-name only; no other references or expert sources were cited.
• Halliday, E., & Gast, R. J. (2011). Bacteria in beach sands: an emerging challenge in protecting coastal water quality and bather health. Environmental science & technology, 45(2), 370–379. https://doi.org/10.1021/es102747s
• Hoghooghi, N., Pippin, J. S., Meyer, B. K., Hodges, J. B., & Bledsoe, B. P. (2021). Frontiers in assessing septic systems vulnerability in coastal Georgia, USA: Modeling approach and management implications. PloS one, 16(8), e0256606. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256606
• Mattioli, M. C., Benedict, K. M., Murphy, J., Kahler, A., Kline, K. E., Longenberger, A., Mitchell, P. K., Watkins, S., Berger, P., Shanks, O. C., Barrett, C. E., Barclay, L., Hall, A. J., Hill, V., & Weltman, A. (2021). Identifying septic pollution exposure routes during a waterborne norovirus outbreak - A new application for human-associated microbial source tracking qPCR [PDF]. Journal of microbiological methods, 180, 106091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2020.106091
  
  Abstract excerpts:
  
  In June 2017, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) was notified of multiple norovirus outbreaks associated with 179 ill individuals who attended separate events held at an outdoor venue and campground over a month period.
  
  Epidemiologic investigations were unable to identify a single exposure route and therefore unable to determine whether there was a persistent contamination source to target for exposure mitigation.
  
  Norovirus was detected in a fresh recreational water designated swimming area and a drinking water well. A hydrogeological site evaluation suggested a nearby septic leach field as a potential contamination source via ground water infiltration.
  
  Geological characterization revealed a steep dip of the bedrock beneath the septic leach field toward the well, providing a viral transport pathway in a geologic medium not previously documented as high risk for viral ground water contamination.
• National Lime Association. Fact sheet—LIME SAFETY PRECAUTIONS [PDF] National Lime Association, Arlington, VA USA. - retrieved 2023-09-05, original source: lime.org/documents/lime_basics/fact-safety_precautions.pdf pdf iconexternal icon[accessed 2021 Jan 29].
• Pardue J, Moe W, McInnis D, Thibodeaux L, Valsaraj K, Maciasz E, et al. Chemical and microbiological parameters in New Orleans floodwater following Hurricane Katrina. Environ Sci Technol. 2005;39(22):8591-9.
• Petrie B. (2021). A review of combined sewer overflows as a source of wastewater-derived emerging contaminants in the environment and their management [PDF]. Environmental science and pollution research international, 28(25), 32095–32110. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-14103-1 NLM
  Abstract excerpt:
  
  Abstract
  
  Emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and personal care products can be released to the environment in untreated wastewater/stormwater mixtures following storm events. The frequency and intensity of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) has increased in some areas due to increasing urbanisation and climate change
• Reneau, R. B., Jr, Pettry, D. E., Shanholtz, M. I., Graham, S. A., Jr, & Weston, C. W. (1977). DISTRIBUTION of TOTAL and FECAL COLIFORM organisms from septic effluent in selected coastal plain soils [PDF]. Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974), 92(3), 251–259.
  
  Excerpts:
  
  Fecal coliforms, which characteristically inhabit the intestines of warm-blooded animals, signal a recent and potentially dangerous source of pollution. Members of the coliform group other than fecal may be found in soils, on plants and insects, in old sewage, and in waters that have been polluted sometime in the past.
  ...
  Total and fecal coliform densities decreased as distance from the drainlines above the fragipan increased (fig. 7 and table 3). The total and fecal coliforms above the fragipan (P1 and P2) were greatly reduced at both 12.5 and 28.0 m from the drainfield.
  ...
  Bothl total and fecal coliform counts were greatly reduced in the first 13 m of horizontal travel, probably a result of dilution, soil filtration, and dieoff. Few organisms were present below the very slowly permeable fragipan.
  
• Rothenberg, S. E., Furrer, J. M., Ingram, L. A., Ashford-Carroll, T. S., Foster, S. A., Hystad, P., Hynes, D. M., Savannah-Daneshmand, T., Bran scum, A. J., & Karate, P. (2023). Sanitary sewage overflows, boil water advisories, and emergency room and urgent care visits for gastrointestinal illness: a case-crossover study in South Carolina, USA, 2013-2017. [PDF] Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology, 33(1), 102–110. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-022-00498-7
• Sadiqi, Shahida, Muhammad Hamza, Farooq Ali, Sadia Alam, Qismat Shakeela, Shehzad Ahmed, Asma Ayaz et al. "Molecular characterization of bacterial isolates from soil samples and evaluation of their antibacterial potential against MDRS [PDF] Molecules 27, no. 19 (2022): 6281.
• Sainath, C., and Khazi Mudabbir Ahmed. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS IN SEWAGE AND SANITARY WORKERS [PDF] Indian Journal of Basic and Applied Medical Research 3, no. 4 (2014): 31-5.
  Abstract excerpt:
  
  These health hazards include exposure to harmful gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide, cardiovascular degeneration, musculoskeletal disorders like osteoarthritic changes and intervertebral disc herniation, infections like hepatitis, leptospirosis and helicobacter, skin problems, respiratory system problems and altered pulmonary function parameters.
• Stramer, S. L., & Cliver, D. O. (1984). SEPTAGE TREATMENTS TO REDUCE THE NUMBERS OF BACTERIA AND POLIOVIRUSES [PDF] Applied and environmental microbiology, 48(3), 566–572. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.48.3.566-572.1984
  Abstract
  
  Disposal of the pumped contents of septic tanks (septage) represents a possible means of dissemination of enteric pathogens including viruses, since persistence of enteroviruses in septic tank sludge for greater than 100 days has been demonstrated. The risk of exposure to potentially infectious agents can be reduced by disinfecting septages before their disposal.
  
  Of the septage disinfectants examined (technical and analytical grade glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, heat treatments, and a combination of heat and hydrogen peroxide), the treatment including hydrogen peroxide (5 mg, plus 0.33 mg of trichloroacetic acid, per ml of septage) and 55°C killed virtually all the bacteria in septage within h, whereas 55°C alone inactivated inoculated polioviruses within 30 min.
  
  Virus was the most sensitive to heat, whereas fecal coliforms appeared to be the most sensitive to all chemical treatments.
  
  The responses of fecal streptococci and virus to both grades of glutaraldehyde (each at 1 mg/ml) were similar. Virus was more resistant than either fecal streptococci or total bacteria to low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (1 to 5 mg/ml); however, virus and fecal streptococci were more labile than total bacteria to the highest peroxide concentration (10 mg/ml) examined.
  
  It is possible that the treatment combining heat and hydrogen peroxide was the most effective in reducing the concentrations of all bacteria, because catalase and peroxidases as well as other enzymes were heat inactivated, although catalase seems the most likely cause of damage.
  
  However, this most effective treatment does not appear to be practical for on-site use as performed, so further work on septage disinfection is recommended.
• Tiwari, Rajnarayan R. "Occupational health hazards in sewage and sanitary workers." Indian journal of occupational and environmental medicine 12, no. 3 (2008): 112.
• U.S. CDC REOPENING OUTDOOR PUBLIC SPACES AFTER FLOODING [PDF] (2011) Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, retrieved 2023-09-05, original source: cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/rra/reopening-outdoor-spaces-after-flooding.html#:~:text=Typically%2C%20it%20takes%202%E2%80%933,in%20soil%2C%20with%20certain%20exceptions.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental regulations and technology: control of pathogens and vector attraction in sewage sludge. EPA/625/R-92/013. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development; 2003.
• WA DOH, BASIC PRINCIPLES of ONSITE SEWAGE [PDF] (1992) Washington State Department of Health, Office of Water, Washington D.C. USA
  
  Also including as
  APPENDIX A: WHY DO COARSE SOILS HAVE LARGER PORE SIZE & LESS SURFACE AREA? & WHY DO FINER SOILS HAVE SMALLER PORE SIZE & MORE SURFACE AREA
  and
  Cogger, Craig G., APPENDIX B: SEPTIC SYSTEM WASTE TREATMENT in SOIL, (1987) Washington State University Cooperative Extension, EB1475,

• Wang, L., Hu, Z., Yin, H., Bradford, S. A., Luo, J., & Hou, D. (2022). Aging of colloidal CONTAMINANTS & PATHOGENS in the SOIL environment: Implications for nanoplastic and COVID-19 risk mitigation [PDF]. Soil use and management, 10.1111/sum.12849. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12849
• Yeager J, O’Brien R. Enterovirus inactivation in soil. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1979;38(4):694–701.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2021-04-02 by danjoefriedman (mod) - worries if a septic tank is leaking

@David Edwards,

If the septic tank is leaking sewage out around itself I am worried

1- that there is a health hazard to people at that property

2- a local code violation

3- worse, that the septic drainfields are in failure and are backing up into and leaking out of the septic tank

So it's worth understanding exactly what's going on: have the tank pumped and inspected.

First concern: safety: be sure there's a safe cover and that no one can fall into the septic tank.

On 2021-04-02 by David Edwards

We have a home approximately 50 yo. About 1 1/2 yrs ago I dug a hole on the receiving side of septic tank to check if the 4" (I think) PVC pipe I replaced a few yrs prior was not leaking into the dirt on receiving side. As I dug the 2'x2' hole it filled with water rather quickly.

Ever since the entire surface (the size of the tank even alittle bigger) has stayed filled with sewage, I've only seen feeces a couple times (the frogs love it..ha).

I have always assumed it was collapsed or worn out fill lines. In the summer you can see the greener and faster growing grass...

but it appears to only be maybe 40' worth in a J shape..and to make it worse it is in the front yard. Today I pushed a thin metal rod into the place I thought fill line might be and it went down about 24-26" with barely any resistance. I dug a hole there with post hole diggers..

The hole began to fill with water at about 15" or so...

I dug the hole about 2' deep and the hole is about half full of water. Although the water doesn't appear to be sewage. So I probably didn't hit the fill line, or I didn't dig deep enough.

I then moved away from from anywhere near the fill line about 10' and dug another hole and hit water at around 15". So my question is do you think fill line is no longer doing its job or is the yard saturated (it did rain a good bit last week and the ditch in front yard by the road which is only 30' from tank and 10' from part of the fill line where green is greener continues to hold water still today.

I never see it moving water either..there is also a Bradford pear tree next to ditch with some noticeable roots). Or could it be both?

I'm sorry for such a long and slightly confusing question but I don't know what my next step should be. I don't have 7 or 8k to spend on it considering I haven't worked since covid-19 hit. Thank you for taking the time to read this...I really appreciate it.
David

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Continue reading  at SEPTIC TANK / FIELD INSTALLATION HEALTH HAZARDS disturbing contaminated soil can be dangerous, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• BACTERIA TEST GUIDE
• CRAWL SPACE SEWAGE CLEANUP
• GARDENS NEAR SEPTICS
• OUTHOUSES & LATRINES
• SEPTIC & SEWAGE TREATMENT CODES & REFERENCES
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST - home
• SEPTIC / SEWAGE SOIL CONTAMINATION HAZARDS
• SEPTIC TANK / FIELD INSTALLATION HEALTH HAZARDS
• SEWAGE CONTAMINATION in BUILDINGS
• SEWAGE PATHOGENS in SEPTIC SLUDGE - pathogens and other contaminants in residential sewage
• SWIMMING WATER TESTS - for sewage pathogens on beaches or in swimming waters

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