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.       

Retention Time

Did you know that your septic tank is always full? Most weeping fields are gravity fed, so your septic tank must be full to the outlet pipe in order for the weeping field to receive effluent (the liquids). As you introduce waste into the septic tank, effluent flows into the weeping field.

Retention time refers to the time required for the solids in the septic tank to settle out of the liquid. A high retention time is ideal, and will allow adequate settling of the solids.

If water usage is excessive, retention time in your tank will be low. This can cause effluent containing solids to be forced into the weeping field, leading to potential problems in the future.

The following steps will assist with increasing retention time:

• Space out heavy water usage. For example, don't run the dishwasher and washing machine at the same time.
• Laundry should be done over the course of the week rather than all on one day. A maximum of one load per day is suggested.
• Divert your water softener waste water to a grey water system if possible, or cycle only when necessary and during the night.
• Limit the length of showers
• Use low flow faucets, showers, and toilets
• General water conservation measures will reduce the load on your septic system.