How to Put in a Leech Field

Leach fields, also known as drainfields, are the final filtering step offered by a home septic tank system. Essentially, leach fields consist of perforated pipe leading to large, gravel filled trenches into which the effluent from the septic tank drains and then eventually leaches into the soil and underground aquifers. Putting in a leach field is not extremely difficult if the septic tank and distribution box are already installed.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Gravel
• 3-inch diameter perforated pipe
• PVC Pipe
• PVC Epoxy
• Backhoe

1. Locate the leech field downhill from your septic system, as it will be gravity fed. Attach a piece of PVC pipe to either side of the distribution box and epoxy it in place.

2. Backhoe to scrape the top two feet of earth off a 20 foot by 30 foot area. Dig two trenches, two feet deep by 25 feet long, running away from the distribution box and parallel to one another.

3. Fill the trenches completely with gravel, then place 25 foot lengths of the perforated pipe on top of the gravel and attach it to the PVC pipe with epoxy.

4. Pour another six inches of gravel on top of the pipes and then cover the entire area over again with the earth you removed before.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to thoroughly mark your leech field so that no heavy equipment or vehicles drive over it later on and crush the pipes below the surface.

References

• Learn more about Septic systems and leech fields here

Resources

• Read more about Septic system design here