Why has my septic tank drainage field suddenly stopped working?
| Gerry Rowe
Septic tank drainage fields can suddenly stop working after years of trouble-free operation due to various reasons.
A drainage field that has stopped working due to being clogged up with fat, grease and oil and has turned black One common cause is a broken or misaligned baffle cone, which fails to separate solids from sewage water, allowing unwanted fats, grease, and oil to enter the drainage field.
Additionally, damage to the ball that traps the hole in the cone can lead to similar issues.
Dip pipes falling off in older septic tank systems can also result in the flow of food particles, waste, grease, and fat into the drainage field.
Connecting surface water or roof water to the sewage system can breach separation systems and contribute to drainage field saturation.
Monitoring the sewage water level can help detect problems before complete blockage occurs, allowing for timely repairs.
Neglecting to address the separation issue can lead to the drainage field's complete failure, with food waste in the ground turning black like oil.
The presence of oil, grease, and fat in the drainage field not only causes pollution but can also clog the treatment plant system, particularly its aerobic portion, and coat the media with grease.
Overall, these issues pose risks to the functionality and effectiveness of the septic tank or treatment plant's drainage field.
