What am I looking at?

Just bought My first property with septic. House was built in 1988 and it still has the original septic system. From what little knowledge I have about septic systems, the one here is pretty basic and small.
Three concrete lids to the tank (I’m guessing) and then the rectangular section filled with water is the leech bed? The bed didn’t have a cover on it when I moved in and it’s filled up with rain water. You can’t see in the picture but there’s about a 4” PVC pipe running from one end and out the other.
Anyone have any tips on what I can do with this system? I’ve turned to a forum because most of the guys I’ve asked don’t know much about the old systems and have given me conflicting instructions/tips. Should I drain out the bed and put a cover down? It is only maybe 8” deep and very little gravel on the bottom. Pipe is completely exposed when there’s no water. How often should I have the septic drained?
Clueless.... thanks for the help

I have worked around very few septic systems but i have never seen an exposed drain field like that. You may want to contact a local septic company with knowledge of the area.

Was none of that info conveyed at time of purchase? That doesn't look right. It very well may be an alternative system that has failed.

Septics usually have to be inspected and pass before a sale can close.

If yours was inspected, find out by who, ask them about it and its operation.

You also may still have recourse against the seller for hiding a known defect.

I’m family friends with the guy I bought it from. It was his fathers home who passed away earlier that year. I bought it through the estate process and there was a lot of things that were “overlooked” ,I suppose, because they sold it to me for 20% less than the appraisal cost.
He wasn’t too sure about a lot of things for the house and this was one of them. From what he knew, this was the main system and he knew that his father had it cleaned out a few years back. Never had back-up issues or even an odor. I have had no issues at all with the system but I just want to keep it “healthy” and make sure it’s taken care of properly

I would at least rig up some kind of cover for that big open box, even one with an overflow drain opening if needed.

It looks like a safety hazard, from drowning, broken leg, attractive nuisance, etc.

How long has it been sitting?

SHEPLMBR said:

How long has it been sitting?

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How long has water been in the bed like that? A few month. As far as how long was the septic unused? I moved in about 6 months after the previous owner passed away

It looks to me like a waste stabilization pond, a tiny version of what they do in the large sewage plants. Here’s a link that explains the what’s and how’s. If I am right it should not be covered. I think to be sure you know what you’re dealing with you should have a septic company come out and look at it. I would think the cost would be minimal for that service and much cheaper than doing something that would cause a functioning system to fail.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_stabilization_pond

Thank you all for the help. I'm going to contact a local company and see if they'll come out or take a look at my pictures. I'm not too worried about it as far as the seller trying to "pull one over on me" but he very well could have not known for himself. Not sure if you can see in the photo but it looks like there is some type of sealant along the edges of the concrete like someone did have a cover over top but it came off and was never put back down.
If I remember correctly for a leech bed, doesn't the pipe usually have holes all through it to let the liquids leak out? The pipe in that pit does not have any holes at all. Again, I don't have any idea about this stuff..
Thanks again, you've all been very helpful

Even some kind of a cover full of holes is better than the death trap you have now.

I don’t know how deep it is, but kids can drown in a few inches of water.

Codi said:

Thank you all for the help. I'm going to contact a local company and see if they'll come out or take a look at my pictures. I'm not too worried about it as far as the seller trying to "pull one over on me" but he very well could have not known for himself. Not sure if you can see in the photo but it looks like there is some type of sealant along the edges of the concrete like someone did have a cover over top but it came off and was never put back down.
If I remember correctly for a leech bed, doesn't the pipe usually have holes all through it to let the liquids leak out? The pipe in that pit does not have any holes at all. Again, I don't have any idea about this stuff..
Thanks again, you've all been very helpful

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in a septic system the leach field has perforated piping
the piping up at the tank does not have perforated pipe

common sense. if the ground was saturated due to pipe being perforated, then the tank itself would shift and sink

as far as the lid is concerned
it is not only required by any and all plumbing codes in the USA
it is also required by the health department to have a SEALED lid
sewer water is a danger to wild life and human life. It will kill you with the diseases it has it in

I strongly suggest having a plumbing co. inspect and bring the system up to code

My opinion is the leach field has failed, the lid was removed and the sewage is being allowed to over flow onto the ground. but,,that is just experince talking with out all da facts

Codi said:

Thank you all for the help. I'm going to contact a local company and see if they'll come out or take a look at my pictures. I'm not too worried about it as far as the seller trying to "pull one over on me" but he very well could have not known for himself. Not sure if you can see in the photo but it looks like there is some type of sealant along the edges of the concrete like someone did have a cover over top but it came off and was never put back down.
If I remember correctly for a leech bed, doesn't the pipe usually have holes all through it to let the liquids leak out? The pipe in that pit does not have any holes at all. Again, I don't have any idea about this stuff..
Thanks again, you've all been very helpful

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LET US KNOW WHAT THEY SAY. I AM CURIOUS.