How to create a septic drain field in clay?
How to create a septic drain field in clay?
(OP)
I have a parcel of land 70 x 240 ft.
I need to install a drain field for a septic system that would allow approx. 360 gal of water to dissipate and keep effluent from pooling on surface.
A septic system would aerate the waste before draining.
The site has clay that is at least 10.5 ft deep(below water table) in some areas and has failed a perc test.
Is this idea possible? Excavate an area (like a small rectangular swimming pool) that would be limited to 7 feet deep(water table restriction). Then fill with a three foot layer of "good" soil. Then allow a three foot layer of concrete sand with a distribution system of pipes. Then cover the remaining foot with top soil?
What would the demensions of the pit need to be? Would the layer of sand and soil be different?
An alternative idea: Have a couple smaller pits "daisy-chained" together along the drainage line.
Is this a realistic solution?
TIA,
CmpMan
I need to install a drain field for a septic system that would allow approx. 360 gal of water to dissipate and keep effluent from pooling on surface.
A septic system would aerate the waste before draining.
The site has clay that is at least 10.5 ft deep(below water table) in some areas and has failed a perc test.
Is this idea possible? Excavate an area (like a small rectangular swimming pool) that would be limited to 7 feet deep(water table restriction). Then fill with a three foot layer of "good" soil. Then allow a three foot layer of concrete sand with a distribution system of pipes. Then cover the remaining foot with top soil?
What would the demensions of the pit need to be? Would the layer of sand and soil be different?
An alternative idea: Have a couple smaller pits "daisy-chained" together along the drainage line.
Is this a realistic solution?
TIA,
CmpMan





RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
An Evapotranspiration System might be possible. I have seen this done in areas with bedrock outcrops where there was zero percolation. However, this was an area in the desert with a very high rate of evaporation. Don't know if it will work or be permitted in your area.
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
I learned recently that a large developement several miles from my location has installed a large pond and have received permission to spray water into the air.
I need to check into this as a possible solution. I suppose you have some holding tank or a pond? My lots are small but if I could add another lot I might have a little room to do this? What do you think?
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
They are requiring two lots to build so the drain field would be large enough (one lot) to accomdate just a two bedroom house or 240 gals per day. I checked out your link about a green house and have contacted them via email. Evaporation might be the way.
Thanks for your input.
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
you might also look into a wisconsin mound system. see the link
http://ww
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
>> C The bed must be sectionalized with a series of valves that control effluent flow to each section proportional to the evapotranspiration potential of the season.
Did you install these valves?
The mound system is intriguing and I need to study that for some ideas. This has been very helpful information.
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
http://www.wisc.edu/sswmp/SSWMP_15.24.pdf
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
(The link is very helpful too, need to study with a cup of java)
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
Hello and hope you resolve the way to go.
In our area (Wisconsin) the state has allowed the mound system where the natural soil won't take the infiltration.
As a last resort, they then OK holding tanks. You hire a pumping guy to take it away to a city WWTP. However, then folks sometimes cheat and run a pipe out to the roadside ditch and get away with it until caught, OUCH.
Have you tried other forums here, such as those frequented by sanitary engineers? (Waste Disposal & Treatment). Those folks work with this subject every day.
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
Thanks for your advice. I have not tried other forums.
Can you recommend one?
Hadn't thought about having it pumped elsewhere, sounds expensive though but it is a solution if soemone will do it.
Pumping into a roadside ditch is NOT a good solution,
unbelievable what some people will do.
Thanks again ...
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
In our area the pumping guys charge about $75 to pump a septic tank, requiring a lot of time fooling with earth cover on tank lids, etc. So where it is easily reached, cost may be less.
They are in the yellow pages and competitive.
You realize these disposal fields are not permanent solutions and require periodic fixing or changing, so add up the cost of frequent holding tank pumping against those costs to see where you will stand.
Down the road the State agencies may come along and require a community sewage system, even in the country. In this area they did that with each house having a pump-grinder into a force main (1-1/4" dia. imagine). They don't take kindly to diapers, etc.
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
Thanks for the info. I'll check into this for sure.
CmpMan
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?
There are also "peat" systems in wide use in coastal North Carolina. I don't know much about those, except they are used to place a huge house on a tiny lot in beach-sandy soil.
RE: How to create a septic drain field in clay?