Lads i think i'm in the S***

De_man

lads i think i'm in deep S***


after installing septic tank, we did a test to check if all gaskets etc were safe and sound .....no leaks - everything okay....now the ground around the septic tank is very wet (but no ponding), i know the weather is crap but i've an awful feeling thats its grey water....and somehow the tank got moved when backfilling....

now the system appears okay, grey water going into pumping station
then pumped to filtration System - all okay.....

but i'm just not sure about it working properly ?

for me the only way of checking is

1. getting the shovel out and digging around it

2. pumping the crap out, getting into tank checking it and resealing it with concrete

3. would it be possible to get a non-toxic dye (say red) to pour into the tank and see what happens?


anyone got suggestions?

RKQ

Good question, not sure I can answer all the points. Hopefully someone who specialises in EPA Soil Tests will contribute.

I'd contact your Soil Tester for advice. It seems this has always been a concern of yours so you tested the system for leaks prior to using it. The weather has been very bad, so you might be worrying about nothing (hopefully!). Geotxtile material in trenches would prevent ponding for a certain period of time.

Where do you suspect the "leak"? As you believe the pumping station
and filtration System are okay. Do you have a constructed or raised percolation area?
Have you installed yellow drainage pipe around the percolation area, to ensure the percolation area is only dealing with pumped grey water and rain water landing on it.

I would not recommend 1 or 2 for the moment, try 3. It is unlikely that a concrete septic tank would spring a leak or be dislodged during consctruction of garden. It is possible to use a colour dye in the tank to determine a leak if any. Not sure if it is non-toxic - assume it is as Council use similar to check surface water pipes etc.

bbam

Hi..
what type of concrete tank do you have?
again, I'd be supprised it is the problem..

How recently was the tank excavated and back filled??
Would it not be be more likely that the freshly dug ground is just wet and muddy after being shifted around.

Cheers
bam

Builderfromhell

One possibility is as follows;
septic installed properly and backfilled.
Percolation area installed as per spec.
Top soil over percoaltion area not done properly but mixed with clay from excavation. This clay on surface stops rain water percolating fast enough and ponds at perco. area. This may be compounded by the fact that digger has had difficulty finishing top soil level (with slight slope for surface water run off). There may be deep ruts caused by digger where water lodges.
all above speculation but based on experience.

harly1516

I seem to remember a guy a few years back checking one with a few bottles of food dye red or blue it does no harm whats so ever

Sonnenblumen

Why not use a colourant used for cooking, vivid but non toxic?:D

Sorry didn't read the last post

JohnBoy

if it smells like **** worry, if it doesnt its probably just bad drainage in the backfill, subsoil on top type of thing

De_man

JohnBoy wrote: »

if it smells like **** worry, if it doesnt its probably just bad drainage in the backfill, subsoil on top type of thing

thanks lads, for the replies (apologies for late reply i'm just back from quick trip)


anyway, there's no smell of **** from the water but i got some dye i'll put it into the tank 2moro. the more i think about it, it's possibly just the huge amount of rain we've had lately is most likely the cause (at least i hope it is)

failing that it's out with the shovel:(