Drainage Problem

[taichiperson]

After the recent heavy rain, we have found that the groundwater is so high that our septic tank is constantly almost full. We're on quite high ground, although the ground to the north is a little higher. There's no mains drainage where we are, and our neighbours of course have similar problems. We're at a loss as to how to manage the problem short of using as little water as possible - does anyone have any suggestions as to what we could do, or who to contact in local government or environmental problems.

[2sp_]

Your septic tank should have an overflow on it so that water (which will rise to the top) can flow out into a soakaway.

If you are really concerned, I would contact a local farmer to come and empty it for you. They should have a slurry spreader that will be able to suck it all out (assuming they are livestock farmers).

[taichiperson]

Thanks - emptying it isn't the problem, that's been done. We fear that the soakaway has clogged up or come to the end of its useful life, or that the wetter weather has resulted in the water table rising so that the soakaway will no longer function properly. We're presuming that as the water table drops, it will drain better - but this looks likely to be a problem whenever it has been wet.

[The Builder]

A soakaway is only likely to be clogged over many years use. I doubt very much if a high watertable would do it on its own.

Is there a stream below you, on your boundary?

[The Builder]

Your existing soakaway is simply overloaded, Taichi. A new one would still have the same problem.

The reason I ask about a stream is that you could have a look at replacing your whole system with a treatment plant. There's a lot more choice these days.

Output from a plant can be discharged directly to a water course. Assuming there is a stream, and it's actually moving, discharge could be piped to it. Of course, this is all academic if the whole area is completely at a standstill.

The plant could be sited nearer to the house, maybe on higher ground.

The other thing is to site a plant on high ground to the north. It would mean pumping sewage up to it, but at least the discharge could get away.

Forgive me if none of this is practicable. We'd really need to be there to see the situation.

Info on treatment plants etc............

http://www.wte-ltd.co.uk/sewage_treatment_costs.html

[taichiperson]

There is no stream nearby - there's a river about a kilometre away and about 70m down. Originally our property was a market garden, and so were the properties nearby. Our immediate neighbours have had problems already, so it's obviously backed up to our property now. We don't have the money to install a plant, but in the future there will most likely need to be some work done for the whole area - Lord knows how it will all be organised and funded. Thanks for your answer