Wet Ground After Rain? When Septic Systems Can't Keep Up
After an intense rainstorm, the last thing most homeowners want to see is water pooling in the yard. Unfortunately for some, that excess wetness signals an underlying issue -- a septic system that's become overloaded.
Septic systems provide underground wastewater treatment for over 20 million rural and suburban households not connected municipal sewer lines. They consist of a septic tank, distribution box, and drain field buried in the soil. The system filters out solids and allows liquid effluent to slowly percolate into the ground. However, these underground structures have a finite capacity. Excess water use or infiltration can overwhelm the system and cause backups or overflows. Read on to learn the warning signs of septic trouble following heavy rainfall and what to do restore proper function.
Signs Your Septic System is Overwhelmed
A well-running septic setup handles normal household flows without issue. But extreme weather or chronic overloading due to leaks, clogs, or too many occupants can push the system past its limits. Signs this is occurring include:
- Wet, soggy areas or visible standing water/sewage on the ground
- Strong sewage-like odors around tank or drain field
- Backed up drains or toilets in the house
- Higher water level in nearby wells
- Changes to the grass or landscaping over the drain field
What's Causing the Backup?
When septic tanks and drain fields stop working correctly, untreated sewage has nowhere to go. It then backs up toward the path of least resistance. This malfunction occurs due to four primary reasons:
Heavy Rainfall and Saturated Soil
Intense storms drop significant volumes of water over a short time. This runoff saturates the soil and raises the water table surrounding a drain field. With nowhere to go, liquid overwhelms the system. Any excess water in the septic tank flows back out into the environment.
High Groundwater Tables
Water tables measure the upper limit of groundwater saturation. Levels fluctuate based on weather, temperature, and soil composition. When tables rise significantly, it leaves insufficient unsaturated earth for drain fields to filter liquid. Just like heavy rainfall, high groundwater inundates systems.
Failing System Components
Issues inside the septic tank or piping can also trigger backups. As components age, faults occur. Clogged inlet/outlet pipes, broken baffles, root intrusions, and drain field clogging disrupt flows. Solids accumulate in the tank, liquids have no exit route, and sewage backs up.
Nearby Well Water Rise
Since wells tap into groundwater aquifers, contaminated water tables impact water quality. If septic effluent leaks into soil, it raises contamination risk. Always test water supplies after septic overflows or drainage issues occur.
Risks of Standing Septic Water
Seeing sewage pool on your property presents immediate hazards:
- Raw sewage harbors bacteria, viruses, parasites and pathogens that cause illness. Keep people and pets away from contaminated areas.
- Overflowing septic water degrades environmental health as nutrient pollution enters waterways/aquifers.
- As effluent penetrates soils, it contaminates groundwater drinking supplies, creating serious illness risks if ingested.
- Improper drainage mandates professional cleaning services to sanitize affected areas, an unpleasant and costly endeavor.
Emergency Response Steps
While disheartening, soggy ground or sewage surfacing demands quick action:
- Reduce household water use immediately. Limit showers, laundry, flushing, and dishwasher cycles.
- Prevent children or pets from playing/digging in saturated areas until resolved.
- Hire a NAWT-certified inspector to pinpoint why the system failed. They can also safely pump out any solid buildup or excess liquids.
- Check water quality of nearby drinking water wells to ensure safety.
- Discuss viability of upgrading outdated or damaged system components.
Long-Term Prevention Tips
Avoid repeat incidents through attentive septic maintenance:
- Inspect systems annually, pump tanks every 3-5 years, and repair issues immediately.
- Stagger laundry loads instead of simultaneous cycles to control water volumes entering the tank..
- Install water efficient fixtures like low-flow toilets and faucets to reduce volumes.
- Keep roof drains, sump pumps, and runoff diverted away from the drain field area.
- Avoid planting trees/shrubs over system components; roots seek out moisture clogging pipes.
- Leave tank access ports uncovered for routine evaluations and pumping.
When to Call the Experts
Seek professional assistance if drainage problems meet these thresholds:- Signs of septic system overload reappear despite household conservation efforts.
- Nearby well tests positive for total or fecal coliform bacteria indicating sewage contamination.
- Standing water or soggy soil persists longer than 48 hours after intense storms.
- Indoor plumbing flows remain slow after temporarily improved post-storm.
Malfunctioning septic systems compromise health through contamination and environmental harm from untreated sewage. Stay vigilant for signs of failure during extreme weather. Respond promptly to resolve overflows or backups. Routine maintenance preserves proper performance, preventing unpleasant yet avoidable consequences.