What warning signs does the EPA list?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's SepticSmart program lists the common signs that a septic system is malfunctioning. Some show up inside the house and some show up in the yard. One sign on its own does not always mean the whole system has failed, but each one is a reason to have it checked.
- Water and sewage from toilets, drains and sinks backing up into the home's plumbing.
- Bathtubs, showers and sinks draining very slowly.
- Gurgling sounds in the plumbing system.
- Standing water or damp spots near or over the septic tank or drain field.
- Sewage odors around the septic tank or drain field.
- Bright green, spongy, lush grass over the septic tank or drain field.
What do these signs look like in a Phoenix Valley yard?
Many rural and edge-of-town properties in Maricopa County have desert landscaping rather than lawns, so the EPA's green-grass sign can look different here. Watch for a patch of weeds or volunteer plants that stays noticeably greener than the rest of the yard, or ground that stays damp when the surrounding soil is dry. In a dry climate, a wet spot over the system that is not explained by irrigation or a recent storm deserves attention.
If several fixtures are slow or gurgling at the same time, mention that when you call. It helps whoever inspects the system tell a single clogged drain apart from a tank or drain field problem.
Why do septic systems fail?
The EPA says most septic systems malfunction because of inappropriate design or poor maintenance. Some soil-based systems are installed on sites with inadequate soils, excessive slopes or high groundwater. The EPA also explains that skipping routine maintenance can let solids in the tank migrate into the drain field, where they clog the soil that is supposed to absorb the liquid.
Maricopa County's own advice for making a system last is short: routinely pump the tank every three to five years, keep unapproved products out of the system, and clean the effluent filter inside the tank every six to twelve months. When those steps are skipped, the drain field usually pays the price.
What should you do as soon as you notice a sign?
Start by easing the load on the system while you arrange an inspection. The EPA's guidance points to the same habits that prevent failure in the first place.
- Avoid excess water use. Spread out laundry, run full dishwasher loads and fix leaking fixtures.
- Flush only human waste and toilet paper.
- Keep people and pets away from any area where sewage is surfacing.
- Have the system inspected. The EPA recommends an inspection every one to three years even when nothing seems wrong, and pumping every three to five years or as needed.
- If sewage is backing up into the home, the EPA advises contacting your local health department or regulatory agency for guidance. In Maricopa County, that is Environmental Services.
What does Maricopa County require to fix a failed system?
Maricopa County Environmental Services says that if your septic system is not functioning properly, you should contact a plumbing or septic specialist. What happens next depends on which part failed.
If one component, either the tank or the disposal field, has failed, the county requires an Alteration permit to replace that component. If both the tank and the disposal field have failed, a new onsite wastewater treatment facility must be installed. The county's homeowner guidance describes the alteration process in three steps: the application is submitted, a Construction Authorization is issued, and the finished work is approved with a Discharge Authorization or a white tag authorizing backfill.
The county also notes that adding plumbing fixtures or bedrooms can increase the demand on a system and require county review, and that many building departments want county septic approval before issuing a building permit or certificate of occupancy. If a failing system is discovered during a remodel, plan for that review.
How do you find your system's records?
Before any repair, it helps to know where the tank and drain field are and what type of system you have. Maricopa County's Online Septic Research page offers an online search tool for available septic records, or the county can run a records search for you. Pumping receipts, inspection reports and the as-built drawing are worth keeping together, because the person diagnosing a problem will ask for them.
When we inspect a system with warning signs, we locate the tank, check levels and the effluent filter, look at the accessible components and the ground over the drain field, and explain what we found and which county steps, if any, apply.
Common questions
Does a gurgling drain always mean the septic system is failing?
Not always. The EPA lists gurgling as a warning sign, but a single gurgling fixture can also point to a clog or venting problem in that drain. Gurgling at several fixtures, or with slow drains and odors, points more strongly to the septic system.
Can pumping the tank fix a failing drain field?
Pumping removes solids from the tank, which can relieve backups for a while. The EPA explains that solids escaping into the drain field are a common cause of failure, and Maricopa County requires an Alteration permit to replace a failed disposal field.
Do I need a permit to replace a septic tank in Maricopa County?
Yes. Maricopa County Environmental Services requires an Alteration permit to replace a failed tank or disposal field, and a new system when both have failed. Contact the county for the current application steps.
Is it safe to be near sewage that has surfaced in the yard?
Treat surfacing sewage as a health hazard. Keep children and pets away, avoid walking through it, and contact a septic professional. The EPA advises contacting your local health agency when sewage backs up.