Question:
Can someone tell me the steps to performing a septic system inspection that would certify a system’s working condition? Inspections are being required by lending institutions before they allow a mortgage. From what I’ve seen, the procedures seem to be arbitrary and determined by the contractor. How does it work?
Answers:
I’m actually pleasantly surprised someone has asked this question. The very first step should be a visit or call to the local health department to get a copy of the sewage and well permits (and location drawings). In over 20 years, I have never known a real estate inspector to ask the local health department for records!
The next step is a visit to the site. Yes, there are those who don’t even do this. Locate the septic tank. A soil probe is very useful for this. Locate the well. Be sure you understand the kind of sewage treatment system you are evaluating. I had a real estate inspector dye-check an aeration system and fail it because dye appeared in the ditch.
We don’t certify anything. Our letter to the lending institution or buyer is a clear description of what we found, where it is located relative to the house and other landmarks, and lastly a disclaimer that this is simply a snapshot of what we found on the day of the inspection.
“This report indicates the condition of the above onsite wastewater treatment system at the time of the inspection. It does not guarantee that it will continue to function satisfactorily.” There is no guarantee that the system will not fail tomorrow. No one can make those kinds of guarantees.
This University of Minnesota onsite program Web site provides a great deal of worksheets and information about onsite system inspections. Visit http://septic.umn.edu/ professional/worksheets/index.html.
We dig up the tank, then find the distribution box and do a water test on laterals to see if they are working. We pump the tank and box and put a filter in the tank — we have to bring the system up to code — and then call for the inspection. Those are the rules here; otherwise the bank won’t take the loan.
Question:
I have a customer with some major issues with his septic system. Lab tests of his septic tank show a pH of 4.9, traces of red phosphorus, and ammonia at 350 ppm. He swears there is nothing unusual entering his system, but clearly something is up. Does anyone have any ideas what might cause these readings?
Answer:
Those ingredients aren’t from natural events. I’m not trying to be a wise guy, but you may have stumbled onto a meth lab. These are typical byproducts of making methamphetamine. Be careful.
