Can I put irrigation over my drainfield?
SepticFactsPublished Updated
Generally not. The drainfield needs soil with spare capacity to absorb wastewater, and irrigation water fills that capacity; EPA warns that excess water “slows down or stops the wastewater treatment process” and says to keep roof drains, sump pumps and other drainage away from the drainfield.1 A lawn over the drainfield is fine and in fact recommended: EPA suggests native grasses and ground covers, and trees planted far enough away that roots cannot reach the pipes.2 Avoid vegetable gardens, shrubs and sprinkler zones over the drainfield and reserve area.
Citations
-
U.S. EPA, How to Care for Your Septic System; Penn State Extension, Septic System Basics; University of Florida IFAS Extension, Landscaping on or near Septic Drain Fields. ↩
-
U.S. EPA, How to Care for Your Septic System; University of Missouri Extension, Household Wastewater: Septic Systems (EQM104F); University of Florida IFAS Extension, Landscaping on or near Septic Drain Fields. ↩
The agency that issues septic permits where the lot is makes the final call on what system your lot can use.
Sources
- How to Care for Your Septic SystemU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (federal)Corroborated; confirm with the authority. Checked
- Septic System BasicsPenn State Extension (state university extension)Corroborated; confirm with the authority. Checked
- Landscaping on or near Septic Drain Fields (SL474)University of Florida IFAS Extension (state university extension)Corroborated; confirm with the authority. Checked
- Household Wastewater: Septic Systems (EQM104F)University of Missouri Extension (state university extension)Corroborated; confirm with the authority. Checked
Check a specific lot
SepticFacts screens one lot against public soil, flood, wetland and slope data and the local septic rules we have on file, with every source cited.
Check a lot