You Can’t Plant Vegetation That Harms the System
While there are benefits to growing certain vegetation on the septic field, you can run into problems if you plant the wrong type of vegetation. Common types of vegetation that you can’t plant on a septic field include pussy willow, Japanese willow, maple trees, birch trees. A vegetable garden might look great, but there is the risk that harmful bacteria, like E. coli, could be absorbed through the roots of the plants, contaminating the food. Even a raised garden isn’t a good idea because the added weight of the soil and bed structures can crush the septic pipes. Trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants with deep or expansive root systems can interfere with the functionality of the septic system and may even wrap around the septic field pipes, trapping the septic effluent and causing flooding. In particular, large tree roots are known for their widespread root systems, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that these plants are capable of crushing the septic system pipes. Do not install any structures or driveway access, structures are a bad idea for septic fields and can’t be installed in these locations. Many people try to figure out a way around this, suggesting floating decks, small sheds, and even simple gazebos to help block out the sun, but each of these additions pose a risk to the septic system. Decks are too heavy to be safely installed over a septic field; they also block access to the system while preventing the growth of grass and other beneficial vegetation that reduces the harmful effects of erosion. Sheds, workshops, and garages have the same issues as decks, with too much weight and too little access. Any type of structure that blocks out the sun promotes erosion in the field, which is the reason even an open-air kennel cannot have a roof. It’s best to avoid building any type of structure over a septic field to prevent future issues.
You Can’t Add a Pool or Water Features
Pools, ponds and streams are excellent additions to a property, but they need to be kept well away from septic fields. Ponds and streams that are too close to the septic field risk becoming wastewater runoff points, reducing the effectiveness of the system and creating sites around the home that collect hazardous contaminants, like E. coli. Inground pools should be an obvious issue, given that they need to be dug out and installed in the ground where the septic pipes are running, but even above ground pools can cause problems. The pool doesn’t just block oxygen from reaching the septic pipes, halting evapotranspiration, but the weight of the pool, especially when it’s full, will likely crush the pipes and back up the entire septic system.
