Question for those familiar with aerobic septic requirements

[jerp]

When the aerobic septic system was installed at this house they put the sprinkler heads in the middle of the front yard. It has always been a problem - much of the year it creates a large soggy area that never dries out completely. It makes it tough to mow and breeds fungus that kills the grass. I need to move the heads to another less used/visible part of the yard, but I have another idea, hence my question. In the corner of my lot at the street is a 48" storm sewer culvert. The septic tank is uphill about 40 yards away. Would it be legal to run buried pipe from the tank so when the pump kicks on the water goes directly into the storm sewer? I'm thinking not even though it is chlorinated at that point and relatively sterile.

[mmoses]

Something doesn't seem right if your sprinklers are running that much.

I don't have that problem in my experience.

[jerp]

Something doesn't seem right if your sprinklers are running that much.

I don't have that problem in my experience.

It is bad this time of year when the ground gets saturated from frequent rains then those spots never have chance to completely dry like the rest of the yard because of the septic going off. The problem is the system was poorly designed in the first place - the heads are in a low spot that doesn't drain well to start with.

[dpg481]

From my way of thinking, the sprinkler water is going directly into the ground and run off could already be making it to the street drain. I think there are county health dept. rules that talk about the sprinkler spray having to stay on the same property as the treatment system.

[TexasBob]

Sprinklers can’t even spray outside of property so that’s a no. FIL got corrected by inspection guy because powerful sprinkler was hitting the ditch.

Sounds like you need to build up the lose woot and direct rainwater to the storm sewer.


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[scotth89]

Technically you are supposed to redesign/permit your system if you move your sprinkler heads. That being said, if nobody is watching you can move them on your own. I wouldn't run them to the storm drain.

[Keith]

We have an aerobic system with 5 spray heads, and our back yard has a decent slope to it. Last year the lowest one was always wet around it. I would make deep ruts and almost get my mower stuck. I called the company that we have a maintenance contract with and they changed out that head for $20. They said the seals in it were leaking. The area dried up and I've had no issues since. You might try that first.

[Drycreek3189]

Jerp, I had that same problem because mine were on a side that didn’t get a lot of mid-day to afternoon sun. I solved it by running them out of the yard to a place where it gets lots of sun. A definite help if you have such a place.

[Olphart]

It is illegal to dump the wastewater into the drain.

I have a sprinkler that is lower than the others and it is damp, even in the middle of summer. I presume this is normal since the water in the pvc line will drain to the lowest part of the system, much like the old field line system.

[Kmiles84]

More than likely you would need a “add-on” permit to move the spray heads. You would hire a sanitarian to come out and redesign your layout and submit it to the county with your add-on permit. How big is your lot?, do you know what your system was sized for as far as Gallons per day, people in the house? You may check for water infiltration or maybe a toilet that is leaking. I see systems poorly designed mostly for the convenience of a fast install and then the fee to come back for the “add-on” if they need to be moved for future pools, shops, and other new construction.

[Big Lee]

Cousin Eddy did it.

[HOOKNBULLET2]

We had a similar issue and wanted our sprinkler heads moved.

The county regulates where you can put that water. It has to be so many feet from water wells, property lines, etc. there is also a formula for how many gallons per acres and how big the spray field has to be. It’s complicated to say the least.

We played by the county rules, hired an engineer and a licensed contractor to do the work.

It was not cheap.

[twistedmidnite]

How many sprinkler heads do you have now? Id add a couple in spots that the heads won't cross spray. More heads means the water is spread out more and the pump runs less. This is what I did anyway but don't tell anyone. I have 6 heads.

[twistedmidnite]

also they are supposed to be the purple top sprinklers for reclaimed water. And also I run my heads on 360 degrees to spread the water out more.

[Leemo]

I’m moving two of mine next week, cut the breaker off, dig up the line and moving it.
I’m not calling anyone.....