Criteria for defining septic system failure: this septic system inspection and test article discusses the Definition of Septic System Failure - septic system failure criteria - the types of septic system failure in the drain field, leach field, seepage bed, or similar component. We list the causes of each type of septic component failure, and list the septic component failure criteria or in other words what conditions are defined as "failure"?

Onsite Waste Disposal System Septic System Failure Criteria

How can you distinguish between a blocked pipe, a septic tank that needs pumping, and a clogged drainfield that needs replacement? This is an important question as it distinguishes between relatively low cost maintenance or repair task and a costly septic leach field replacement. We also discuss what can be planted over and near a septic drainfield and what should be avoided.

Massachusetts Title 5 lists specific failure criteria and serves as a good model for septic inspections anywhere.

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• Backup anywhere in the system
• Discharge of effluent to the surface, stream, etc. regardless of whether or not septic dye is observed
• Static effluent level above outlet in the D-box
• System has to be pumped more than four times a year
• Metal septic tanks (municipality dependent; note that in special site conditions small metal tanks may be the "only" solution and may be approved by local officials. An owner/buyer must be informed of the implications of such installations.)
• Soil Absorption System (or cesspool, etc) is at a depth exposing it to the maximum groundwater level - as shown in our illustration, above-left.

Cesspool failure criteria

• Less than 6" of freeboard (free area between top of the effluent in the cesspool and top of the cesspool container)
• Less than 1/2 day's storage
• Within100 feet of a pond or dug well (surface water supply)
• Within 50 feet of a private well (modern sanitary well)
• Between 50 and 100 feet from a private well if well fails bacteria test
• In Massachusetts, within Zone 1 of a public well
• BOH (board of health) evaluation is required if septic system components or evidence of failure are within 50 feet of any surface water

For details see CESSPOOL FAILURE CRITERIA.

Soil Absorption System Failures (leach fields, drain fields, seepage pits)

• Breakout of effluent observed (& I consider odors as well)
• BOH evaluation in MA if within 100 ft of surface water supply
• within Zone 1 of a public well
• within 50ft of a private well
• between 50ft and 100ft of a private well if well fails bacteria test.

FAILURE CRITERIA - Soil Absorption System Failure Criteria - Drainfield Failure Standards

Since homeowners may receive vague advice about the condition of their septic system, here we present specific failure criteria for septic systems. For alternative septic system designs or advanced septic systems using more specialized equipment, a failure of that equipment is more often a needed repair than a total system failure.

The most basic definition of septic system failure would be a septic system that will no longer treat and dispose of septic effluent. A "blocked" septic system may or may not be a "failed" system - it depends on the cause of blockage. Is it a blocked pipe, a clogged septic filter, or is the drainfield saturated and no longer accepting effluent?

Here are some of the specific criteria that can reliably be taken to describe a failed or non-functional septic system:

• Breakout of septic effluent observed at the property surface (& I consider odors as well)
• Appearance of septic effluent, for example seen by use of a tracer dye, in nearby waterways, streams, lakes, or drainage catch basins
• Too close to water supply or other boundaries: Board of Health evaluation in Massachusetts defines a septic system as unacceptable (technically not working" if a septic system (or in some cases its drainfield) is located within 100 ft of surface water supply or any of the next three locations:
• A septic system (or in some cases its drainfield) located within Zone 1 of a public well
• A septic system (or in some cases its drainfield) located within 50ft of a private well
• A septic system (or in some cases its drainfield) located between 50ft and 100ft of a private well if well fails bacteria test.

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

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

@Stinky

You are describing a public health hazard and one that we'd expect your local health officials to act upon, requiring the property owner to clean up this mess and fix the sewage/septic problem.

You're concern about your home's value is understandable, but which is worse, you and your neighbors getting seriously ill from open sewage or a record that such a problem has been corrected? If you were selling your home right now, you'd have a very tough time doing so with open sewage next door.

Call your health department and ask for help. Make clear the situation, show them your photo posted here, and

add their response here. Sometimes the sunlight of public exposure is what's needed to disinfect or thaw a frozen official.

[Ed. note: This reader's comment and our reply were originally posted at

NEIGHBORING SEPTIC SYSTEM DISPUTE FAQS-2 )

On 2023-06-21 by Stinky LePew

My neighbors yard is a collective trash heap for the 40 years ive been hear. Other people pay him to haul trash they just put in their yard.

Resently, 6 months ago, a very strong odor took over our immediate area. When researching this, i found that my neighbor was siphoning his sewage onto his yard.

Ive contacted county, state, city, and anyone that would listen. His septic has been broken a long time and irreparable.

Im nauseated, headaches, cant sleep due to the stinch. Its been months now. Considering legal action but thought it was state, county, city's job to look out for general health in such cases. Also dont want a legal paper trail potentially hunting our home values either. HELP....

 

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

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• AEROBIC ATU SEPTIC FAILURE RATES, COSTS
• DISPOSAL vs TREATMENT - getting rid of effluent isn't the same as avoiding contamination
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST - home
• PLUMBING DRAIN NOISE DIAGNOSIS.
• SEPTIC DISPOSAL FIELD CLOGGING INSPECTION
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE CAUSES
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD FAILURE DIAGNOSIS
• SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA
• SEPTIC FAILURE LAWSUIT
• SEPTIC FAILURE SIGNS
• SEPTIC FAILURE SPOTS
• SEPTIC ODORS INDICATING DRAINFIELD FAILURE
• SEPTIC TANK GRASS or SNOWMELT
• SEPTIC TROUBLE SIGNS, OTHER
• SOAKBED SOIL CONDITIONS
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD RESTORERS?
• SEPTIC DYE TEST PROCEDURE for testing septic system function.
• SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND
• SEPTIC TESTS: DYE & LOADING TESTS
• SEPTIC SYSTEM ODORS
• SEPTIC / SEWAGE SOIL CONTAMINATION HAZARDS
• SEWAGE BACKUP, WHAT TO DO
• SEPTIC TANK & SYSTEM CARE BASICS for specific advice about the septic tank
• SEPTIC TANK LEVELS of SEWAGE

Suggested citation for this web page

SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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