North Central Health District

Septic System Performance and Rain

Posted March 9, 2020 by Michael Hokanson

Middle Georgia has seen a high volume of rain recently, which can affect on-site sewage (septic) systems.

North Central Health District’s Environmental Health Program advises homeowners that are serviced by septic systems to take measures to prevent negative impacts to their systems.

What can homeowners do?

• If present, ensure gutter downspouts are directed away from the septic tank and drainfield. If you are unable to locate your septic system, contact your county’s Environmental Health Office for a record showing the location.
• Minimize water usage inside the home. Stagger doing laundry and dishes over a week instead of doing multiple loads in a single day. Limit time spent in the shower and the reduce the water used in a bath.
• Redirect water that pools over the septic tank or drainfield. Once the rain has ended and the ground has dried, implement changes to the landscape and/or drain system to keep water out of the area.
• If the septic tank is backing up into the home, remove the cleanout cap if one is present. The cleanout cap may be located in between the house and the tank, or on the side of the home. You will not break any rule or regulations if you are removing the cap to keep sewage from entering the home.
• Pumping the septic tank during periods of heavy rain ay not provide a long-term solution, as the tank may fill up with groundwater soon after pumping.

Extended periods of rain can result in reduced system performance due to the oversaturation of the drainfield. The measures listed here can be used to minimize issues like backing up, slow draining, gurgling and sewage surfacing. The long-term solution is to let your system dry out after a rain event. 

Saturated soil makes it difficult for county Environmental Health staff to properly assess a system that may be experiencing failure caused by reasons other than the heavy rain. If you applied for a permit from your local Environmental Health Office, it may take longer than the standard 14 business days for the office to visit the property and conduct the assessment. Saturated soil conditions also prohibit the ability of septic tank repair companies to perform certain repairs, like drainfield replacements. These repairs may not be able to be performed for days following a rain event, as a dry environment is necessary. Drainfield replacement in saturated soil is prohibited due to the smearing of the trenches and soil compaction from heavy equipment.

Your Environmental Health Office understands that these conditions may cause frustration for homeowners. We must all wait out bad weather together. Environmental Health staff will be available to serve your needs when weather conditions improve. If you have any questions, contact your local Environmental Health Office. Find your office at NCHD52.org/county-environmental-health-offices.

For more information about septic systems, visit NCHD52.org/sewage-septic-management.