Septic line distance limitations

[mwayne]

OK can leach field be a quarter-mile from the septic tank?

It can probably be done, but will your local building department allow you to do that is a question to ask.
This guy did something like you are proposing:

 

[MossRoad]

Heck, 1/4 mile is about 1300’. Most leech fields don’t have 300’ of pipe total in them. I know it all depends on soil type. This would be a prime case for hiring a professional to figure out the best, most economical place to put your leech field rather than just thinking you know the best place for it.

 

[orezok]

I put one of these in next to my shop when I built 17 years ago. It pushes through a 2” line to the septic tank about 125’ away. I originally installed a salvaged pump which lasted about 10 years and replaced it with a new. I bought the basin only since I had a pump. Since the pump is right next to the shop electric was minimal.

Cost is $600 at HD.

 

[grsthegreat]

i have helped a contractor install leach fields far, far away from septic tank, but every one of those systems included a electric pump to move effluent. Usually thru 2” pipe to a distribution tank next to the field. They HAVE to be engineered or you can have a system that doesn't work. I know, as this guys main job is repairing other peoples screw ups.

 

[Marty NC]

Thank you for all the replies, my main reason for wanting it further away from the house or a quarter mile away is I don't want to take out any more trees than necessary and wanting to put the pipe that goes to the field in the middle of the road. If that actually can be the leach field itself that would be great. Was wanting one leach field for several septic tanks. The location I picked out is truly about a quarter mile away from the main home and it is already cleared a little area which would be ideal so I'm not taking out any more trees. The slope is not a problem for the house will be closer to the top of a mountain in a quarter mile away is further down the mountain again in a more flat cleared area already. I call it the old barn area. It's our understanding and old barns that they're back in the early 1900s

 

[MossRoad]

Don’t know if this applies to you or not, but in some locations, code sets not only a minimum slope to the lines between the house, septic, and leech fields, but also a maximum slope that cannot be exceeded. So check into that as well. Another reason to consult a professional.

The theory is that if the pipe is sloped too much, the liquid can flow too fast to carry the solids all the way down the pipe.

 

[MossRoad]

Also minimum distances between cleanouts.

 

[Egon]

You will also have to Know the drainage rate to the leach field. There has to be a sufficient slope for the drainage water to keep the solids moving.
You are probably best to hire a competent engineering firm.

Horizontal bores can also be used to minimize surface disturbance.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Ed, I think I'd only be concerned with whether it was a distance that would permit me to keep a very slight downhill run to the septic system. Maybe someone else can refresh my memory; was it one inch or a quarter inch per 10' of lateral line? And there's another possibility also that you might consider, or talk to septic installers in your area. One of my brothers built a home on 10 acres and had one of the aerobic sewer systems installed at the time. Later, they fixed an RV parking site for the other brother to live on. The RV was about 75' from the septic tank, so the guy who installed the original system installed a 50 gallon underground tank with a macerator pump and a 2" line to the original septic system. Of course you'd have to wire the electric power for the pump, but it worked well for them.

I will be building a new home and separate outbuilding this starting this spring. I'd like to put a half bath in the outbuilding. Does anyone know the feasibility of tying the outbuilding to the house septic tank? I suppose the real question is whether there is a distance limit I need to stay within for my drain pipe. I'd hate to have to put in two septic systems just for a convenience. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Thanks for any ideas,

Ed

It depends how far. Is it a mile away? I've put a 55 gal plastic drum and one field line on something like that. If it's not too far, get a tank and a grinder pump to move it to other tank. But, no electricity, no flushation. Pumps have a float switch on them that makes the pump automatic. You only have to run a 2" line to the main septic, since it's a grinder pump and grinds the solids. Them pumps are cast iron and tough. I have one, just the pump, I can pump a concrete tank out with it. I have done it a time or two. I even slipped off down in Louisiana and pumped one out. But it really matters how far, for you to make a decision. I was raised by a house builder, electrician, got farmed out to plumbers, and I just know enough to be completely dangerous.