How to Design a Leach Field Septic System
A leach field works by dispersing liquids from a septic tank into the soil over a large area. Waste is then directed away from the septic tank through drains and spreads out into the ground. Bacteria remove organic material from the liquids as it moves through the earth, thus cleaning it before it reaches an aquifer or comes to the surface to evaporate. Building a leach field is labor intensive, but the design is fairly straightforward. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 5 foot solid pipe
- Distribution box
- Backhoe, shovel or spade
- 60 feet of 4-inch diameter perforated pipe (more or less depending on the length of the trenches)
- Pipe connectors
- Gravel
- Straw
- Topsoil
Instructions
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Connect a solid pipe at least 4 inches in diameter to your septic tank. Attach the other end to a distribution box. Waste will flow out of the septic tank and into the distribution box.
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Dig three 1 foot deep trenches parallel to each other in a straight line away from the distribution box. The pipes will be attached to the distribution tank at one end. Dig trenches that are at least 20 feet long, but not too close to driveways, property boundaries or other obstacles.
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Even out the bottoms of the trenches and then line them with 2 inches of gravel. Smooth out the gravel. Lay straight lengths of perforated pipe in the trenches.
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Attach the ends of the pipes near the distribution box to the box with shorter lengths of perforated pipe. Use U-shaped connectors to connect the joints.
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Cover the pipes to about 2 inches below ground level with more gravel. Smooth the gravel out and cover it with straw. Put topsoil on the straw and landscape the area with grass or other plants. Avoid planting trees with roots that could invade the leach field.
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Tips & Warnings
Not all septic systems use a distribution box. Some are connected directly to the leach field. Make sure that the leach field drains away from buildings. Have a percolation test done to make sure that your soil type can support a leach field. The bottom of the distribution box should be level with the pipes in the leach field.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Price County, WI
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Comments
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John Savage Crowne-Foster
Jan 10, 2011
Uhh, to guild a septic system the 1st step is to check your state and local laws concerning the disposal of human waste products. Next would be to be sure you get it done right so it doesn't fail. The described systen wouldn't pass in many states (I used to be a licensed septic installer in NH and know it wpuldn't pass there or in Mass. which was even stricter about septic systems than NH) and is at best a simplistic description of a system fit for a 3rd grade science fair but is NOT a how-to set of instructions to follow unless you want to waste money and end up in deep $hit!!!
