Soil saturation and excess water

The importance of a high retention time in your tank was discussed in this previous entry where we discussed the importance of water conservation. Another issue of water usage (beyond the tank) is soil saturation in the weeping bed. Saturation of the soil occurs when the soil molecules are so full with water that they can no longer accept any additional effluent or water.

A saturated weeping bed can lead to a wet or flooded lawn and potential back-up within the home.

Saturated weeping beds are common during the spring thaw; particularly during a very rainy spring. Some homeowners find that their system floods out each spring and dries as the season progresses. Pumping out the tank will assist to ease the load on your weeping bed, though waiting it out is also an option. With warmer temperatures and sun, the ground will eventually become drier.

Water conservation measures within the home will assist with preventing over-saturation of the soil, but keep in mind these common sources of excess water:

• Ice rinks should never be created over your weeping bed. The weight of the ice can compact the soil, increasing the chance of your lines freezing. When the ice melts, the high volume of water must be absorbed by your weeping field. This may flood your weeping bed and saturate the soil.
• Downspouts should be directed away from the weeping field whenever possible.
• Gardens should not be built over your weeping field.
• Do not drain hot-tubs or swimming pools either into your tank or in the area of your weeping field.
• If you have frequent problems with soil saturation and flooding of your weeping bed, take a look at how your property is graded. Excess water is sometimes as a result of grading that allows melting snow and rain water to drain toward your weeping field. Sometimes this can be altered to allow water to drain away from the field.