general information

EPA septic system care

Septic System Protection: Property Owner, Installation Contractor, and General Contractor (if applicable) are responsible to protect all primary and reserve soil absorption areas from disturbance. Only excavate and/or chisel plow soil absorption area when dry and friable to a depth of 12" or the infiltrative surface depth plus 4", whichever is greater. Excavation shall conform to the permitting health department's installation manual. Keep wheeled vehicles off of soil absorption areas at all times. Replacement/reserve area, if designated on plan, is set aside for the future replacement of the system should this system fail. Reserve area shall remain undisturbed indefinitely or until municipal sewers are installed to serve the property or a replacement system is installed. Clearing of soil absorption area shall be performed by hand or with small, tracked equipment with low ground pressure (less than 5 psi) when the soil is dry. Disturbance to the soil due to clearing may invalidate this design. After installation, no paint, chemicals, bleach, etc. shall enter system. See https://www.epa.gov/septic/how-care-your-septic-system for general system care instructions.