Drip Septic Fields That Blend into the Yard

How Drip Dispersal Works

The house drains to an aerobic treatment unit. Once the water is treated, a pump sends it in measured doses through a filter and out to the field. The field is a grid of purple tubing, the color used to identify reclaimed water, with small emitters spaced along each line. Each emitter releases a slow, steady flow that the soil and grass roots absorb.

Because the water is distributed slowly and evenly over a large area, drip works on ground that could not support a conventional drainfield, including shallow soil, slopes and lots too small for the setbacks a spray system requires.

Drip vs. Spray

Both methods disperse treated water from an aerobic system. During design, the engineer specifies the one that best suits your lot and the way you plan to use your yard. Here is how they compare day to day:

Installing a Drip Field Correctly

A drip field performs only as well as it is installed. On every job we pay close attention to:

• Line Spacing and Depth set exactly to the design so water spreads evenly.
• Following the Contour on sloped lots so water does not collect at the low end.
• Clean Connections at the supply and return manifolds. Debris left in the lines during installation is the most common cause of clogged emitters later.
• Flushing and Pressure Testing before the county inspection.
• Protecting the Field from trucks and equipment for the remainder of construction.

After Installation

A healthy stand of grass is the best cover for a drip field. Lay sod or seed as soon as practical, and keep vehicles, trenching equipment and new trees off the field. If you plan to add a fence, pool or outbuilding later, contact us or your maintenance provider before any digging begins.