Septic absorption field question.

[partsgone]

Hi, I am buying a new house and the inspector probed the absorption field with a bar and found water about 10 or so inches from the service. He told me this was a problem. A septic guy was sent and said there was nothing wrong. My question is if there is water found 10” from the surface is there a problem.
Thanks scott

 

[partsgone]

no one?

 

[mark3885]

I just had my septic system installed using a sand filter , if I found water 10” under the surface , I would have a huge problem because the sand filter is 6 ft deep of various size stone and sand . Water , 10” down does not sound like a good situation. Better to know this now so you can negotiate a fix into the purchase price or walk away.

 

[Copymutt]

Not good. Poses questions. Whats the ground water level? Is the system currently under heavy loading? Clay soil under the hopefully engineered field?

 

[partsgone]

thanks, only 2 people in the home. i will have four. The inspector ran the water on and off for some hours while looking through the home. Then check the field where i saw water and about 12" in 3 holes in a 4 ft circle. Sounds like a broken pipe joint to me. Thanks for your help

 

[FishScreener]

I recommend you talk to either the public agency which regulates septic systems, or a Professional Engineer, who regularly deals with septic system designs.

Typically if water from the septic system is that close to the surface it would be a problem.

But, isn’t always. I designed a system last year, where there is a layer of benonitic clay soils from two to five feet, and well draining gravels below that. So the septic system I designed at 7-ft of bury, is functioning fine, when we check it through the witness pipes installed at the ends of the galleries. But after a rain storm the soils immediately above the bentonite layer are saturated.

 

[partsgone]

got ya. i'm having someone go out and give me another view.
scott