InspectAPedia ®

Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice
InspectAPedia
Home
| Air
Conditioning
| Electrical | Indoor
Environment
| Exteriors | Heating | Home
Inspection
| Insulate
Ventilate
| Interiors | Mold
Inspect/Test
| Plumbing
Water
Septic
| Roofing | Structure | Contact Us
Directory of Professionals to Inspect or Test a Building


SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME
SEPTIC SYSTEM ARTICLES
  Septic Guide for Home Buyers or Owners
  Septic System Design
  Septic Inspection Testing
  Septic Maintenance Repair
  Septic Component & Product Suppliers
  Septic Videos
  InspectAPedia ® BOOKSTORE
HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS
SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK
SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
  SEPTIC CLEARANCES
  Neighboring Septic System Problems
  Well Clearances
  SEPTIC TANK PUMPING FREQUENCY
  SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE
  SEPTIC PUMPING REPAIR
  SEPTIC TREATMENTS
SEPTIC DESIGN ALTERNATIVES
InspectAPedia ® BOOKSTORE

More Information

InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map
Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps
Bookstore
Electrical
Environment
Exteriors
Heating
Home Inspection
Insulate Ventilate
Interiors
Mold Inspect/Test
Plumbing Water Septic
Roofing
Structure
Accuracy & Privacy Policies
Contact Us



Sketch of common septic system component setbacks and clearances. How to Address Problems with a Neighbor's Septic System
InspectAPedia®  -    

  • How to investigate and resolve septic odors from neighboring properties
  • How to investigate and resolve septic effluent seepage from or septic failures on neighboring land
  • Setbacks and clearances for septic systems
  • Septic distances to other site features
Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at InspectAPedia.com/appointment.htm.

This article offers advice for investigating, diagnosing, and resolving odor, seepage, or well contamination problems that appear to originate on a neighbor's property. Also see SEPTIC CLEARANCES and Well Clearances for required distances between wells and septic systems and other site features. In general, septic effluent must be disposed of on the property from which it originates. Contact us with corrections or additions to this data.

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Hi, My neighbor has a septic tank in the front of their house, the house is about 30 years old. I can smell her septic on certain days but my concern is that it is very close to the property line and their property is about 8 feet higher in elevation and I think the waste is leaching into our yard. Originally the yards were pretty level, but we cut away the banking to make a driveway. How can I tell if that waste is in the soil around our driveway. Oh yeah, the banking doesn't freeze there in the winter.  Thanks, C

Advice for Investigating Septic Odors, Seepage, Failures, on Neighboring Lands

Check with your Neighbors

It’s always best to ask a neighbor to consider and address a problem before calling the authorities, but if a neighbor is unwilling or perhaps unable to act, the second step of involving the health department may be necessary. In my experience, when an owner’s property was sending raw septic effluent onto a neighbor’s property and the offender refused to address the matter, the health department would get involved and require action.

Whenever there seems to be a problem that begins with a neighbor's property, we advise a prompt, courteous inquiry with the neighbor involved. Explain your concerns, invite their assistance, give the neighbor an opportunity to respond. Usually that approach will lead to satisfaction for everyone. If you have the bad luck to encounter a neighbor who is unable or unwilling to assure that their septic system is not contaminating a neighbor, other steps may be necessary.

Check the distances between the neighboring septic system and property boundaries, wells, etc.

Perhaps start your research by looking at http://InspectAPedia.com/septic/clearances.htm  and then review the distances between the neighboring septic system and your property lines and anyone's well with your local health department. Clearance distances from wells, property lines, streams, etc. must all be respected.

Investigate the source of septic odors

Sniffing out septic odors at a farmhouse
Sniffing out odors on your own property can be a challenge, and you should stay off of a neighbor's land unless you're invited there.

Odors may mean the neighbor’s system is in failure, or that their plumbing and venting are improperly installed, or (less likely) there could be another odor source. In my experience, most health departments will require action of septic effluent is actually entering a neighbor’s property, but won’t require action on odors.

So if your neighbor’s system is producing wet spots or wet areas on your land, they will most likely be required to fix that. Here is our article on diagnosing septic odors:
http://InspectAPedia.com/septic/septgas.htm

Investigate the source of wet areas that might or might not be due to someone's septic system failure

If there are wet areas that may be due to a septic problem

Septic failure by a pool

In this photo, excavation for an above ground pool disclosed sewage effluent flowing to the surface at an adjoining property.

If there are wet areas produced on your land, or for that matter, on the neighbor’s nearby land, their septic system may be in failure and needs repair for health reasons as well as functional reasons. Here is a list of septic system failure criteria: http://InspectAPedia.com/septic/SepticFailureCriteria.htm

When effluent appears, the health department may use a septic dye to attempt to assure that the effluent is from a septic system and not another groundwater source. I find that septic dye usually but not always appears in less than a day in the wet areas when the septic has failed.

At times the septic is in failure but the dye doesn't show up – because of dilution by other groundwater or use of bleach by an owner. An explanation of how septic dye may not appear even though a septic has failed is at http://InspectAPedia.com/water/watercheater.htm

If there are no wet areas but you still suspect a septic problem

Septic failure evidence

This photo shows an uphill neighboring septic field whose effluent flowed below ground into the drive drainage system of the property in the foreground of the picture. This photo shows septic dye appearing in the area drain basin in the driveway.

If there are no wet areas developing but the ground shows evidence of nearby effluent passage such as odors or warmth in winter, it may be expected that soon enough effluent will be appearing and the issue will become unambiguous – repair will be required. Pay special attention to suspect areas during wet weather. 

If there are no wet areas being produced on your land then effluent is not appearing at the ground surface, that is, if there is no visual evidence of septic failure, and absent a clearance distance issue which I introduced above,I'm not sure your health department would consider the neighbor to be in violation of health codes.

Soil testing for evidence of septic failure

Testing a soil for coliform bacteria or e coli bacteria to indicate that it’s contaminated with sewage effluent can be performed by a local water testing lab. I’d call the lab to ask them the procedure they want you to use to test a soil sample rather than a water or groundwater sample, and I’d ask what standards of comparison are used. (And I ask that you share that information with me.)

Share this Article      

...

Technical Reviewers & References

  • Daniel Friedman - principal author/editor of the InspectAPedia® Website
  • InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
  • Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
  • Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME
SEPTIC SYSTEM ARTICLES
  Septic Guide for Home Buyers or Owners
  Septic System Design
  Septic Inspection Testing
  Septic Maintenance Repair
  Septic Component & Product Suppliers
  Septic Videos
  InspectAPedia ® BOOKSTORE
HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS
SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK
SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
  SEPTIC CLEARANCES
  Neighboring Septic System Problems
  Well Clearances
  SEPTIC TANK PUMPING FREQUENCY
  SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE
  SEPTIC PUMPING REPAIR
  SEPTIC TREATMENTS
SEPTIC DESIGN ALTERNATIVES

SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME

More Information

InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map
Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps
Bookstore
Electrical
Environment
Exteriors
Heating
Home Inspection
Insulate Ventilate
Interiors
Mold Inspect/Test
Plumbing Water Septic
Roofing
Structure
Accuracy & Privacy Policies
Contact Us

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

  • Well Clearances required distances between wells and septic systems and other site features.
  • Inspecting Septic Systems: Inspection, Test, Diagnosis, Repair, & Maintenance: Our Online Septic Book: Septic Testing, Loading & Dye Tests, Septic Tank Pumping, Clearances, details of onsite waste disposal system inspection, testing, repair procedures.
  • GOTO our MAIN SEPTIC INFO PAGE: The Septic Information Website The Septic System Information Website - Extensive, Detailed Consumer and Industry Information on Septic System Inspection, Testing, Maintenance, Alternatives for on-site waste disposal
  • Alternative & Advanced Designs for Septic Systems for discussion and links to (on-site waste disposal) System Designs for Problem Sites & Soils. Books, Consultants, Engineers, Designers. Alternative septic system designs can substantially reduce the normal required distances between septic system components and wells, lakes, streams, and property boundaries.
InspectAPedia.comInspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.
GO TO the MOLD and INDOOR ENVIRONMENT INFORMATION CENTER for in-depth advice on avoiding testing for or cleaning up mold and other indoor environmental hazards, odors, gases, contaminants
The Mold Information Center:
What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems
GO TO MOLD TEST KITS: This expert-recommended mold test kit is cheap and yet top performing *IF* you use a competent analysis laboratory!
Use this simple, economical mold test kit
by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab
GO TO IAQ/MOLD-TEST LAB SERVICES: Mold, Pollen, indoor air quality, field and laboratory services by an expert.Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.
GO TO our PRE PURCHASE BUILDING INSPECTION SERVICES: Authoritative information for home buyers and home owners is included with your inspection.
Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis
, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting

CONTACT Daniel Friedman - Dan is a senior ASHI home inspector, nationally recognized expert on building inspection, building failures, and sick building investigation
Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting

10/23/2009 - InspectAPedia.com/septic/Septic_Neighbors.htm - © 2009 - 1988 Copyright Daniel Friedman All Rights Reserved - InspectAPedia® is a Registered U.S. Trademark