#SEPTIC TANK AND DRAIN FIELD LAYOUT HOW TO#
#SEPTIC TANK AND DRAIN FIELD LAYOUT SERIES#

Shallow-rooted herbaceous plants refer to flowering annuals and perennials (including bulbs), turfgrass, weeds and many groundcovers. Rob Routledge, Sault College, Herbaceous Plants The key is to select plants that will satisfy landscaping needs while posing as minimal a threat to the drain field as possible. Plants that have aggressive, woody, water-loving, deep roots can potentially clog or disrupt the pipes in the system, causing serious damage that can be very expensive, very messy and threaten the environment. Plant Selection for the Drain FieldĪccording to many of the articles written on this subject, shallow-rooted herbaceous plants that are well adapted to normal rainfall amounts for the area are best suited for use in a drain field planting. However, there are certainly recommendations for which plants should or should not be planted on or around the drain field. No one wants septic effluent surfacing in their yard, not to mention the cost of repairs and the associated inconveniences. While these are certainly valid considerations, it should be noted that planting certain types of vegetation on or near a drain field is not recommended because of the threat that their associated root systems pose to the long-term functionality of the drain field. It may also be that the drain field is in the front yard, and the homeowner wants to plant a landscape to accentuate the front of their house. This is often the case with new developments carved out of woodland areas. On the other hand, a homeowner’s reason for wanting to landscape the drain field may also be that it is the only sunny location on their property. Therefore, a cover of lawn turf would be the best plant cover to establish and maintain over the drain field. Another reason would be that plants help the system to function more effectively by optimizing oxygen exchange and promoting necessary soil moisture removal through transpiration. Perhaps the most compelling argument for planting into the drain field would be to mitigate any erosion of the soil over the drain field. There are several reasons for planting over a drain field. Corporative Extension Why Bother With Landscaping the Drain Field?

It is important that the homeowner have a detailed layout of their system (giving the locations and dimensions of individual components) for their reference. It is important to note here that each drain field system will vary from the next. The individual drain lines will usually be 8½ to 10 feet apart (see Figure 2). These drain lines are at a minimum depth of 6 inches and are typically 18 to 36 inches wide.

#SEPTIC TANK AND DRAIN FIELD LAYOUT SERIES#

It is recommended that sprinkler heads be positioned so that no irrigation water comes within 10 feet of the drain field.Ī typical septic drain field (see Figure 1), also known as a leach field, is a series of perforated pipes that are set in trenches and buried with aggregates (½- to 2½-inch gravel or ½- to 4-inch rubber chips) and soil. This can be accomplished by diverting runoff from a roof or driveway away from the drain field, and making sure that irrigation systems do not add excessive moisture. It is also recommended to keep excessive moisture from flowing over the drain field. This is why it is recommended to keep excessive traffic off the drain field to avoid over-compaction of the soils. These soil microbes require oxygen to function optimally, and perform less effectively in compacted and/or saturated soils. Many different soil microbes will act to filter and cleanse the liquid effluent before the harmful bacteria in it has a chance to reach ground water. The liquid effluent, or wastewater, will then flow from the tank into a series of drain lines that allow the effluent to slowly percolate down through the soil in the drain field. A standard septic tank will separate solids from liquids.

#SEPTIC TANK AND DRAIN FIELD LAYOUT HOW TO#

Understanding how a septic system functions is essential to making sound decisions about how to best landscape over the drain field. Proper care and maintenance of the septic system will save time and money while protecting the environment. A septic system represents a significant investment, so some understanding of its workings will allow a homeowner to protect and care for his investment properly. As an increasing number of people move into rural areas throughout the state, this issue becomes more common. Many homeowners in South Carolina want to know what can be grown, if anything, over their septic drain field.

Septic tank and drain field layout